UPDATED: Court nullifies Atiku’s candidacy, sacks all ADC candidates, party leadership
A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and voided the presidential candidacy of Atiku Abubakar. The ruling stems from a dispute over the legitimacy of the party's caretaker committee and its internal election processes.
Why it matters
This legal development significantly impacts the political landscape in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections by potentially disqualifying a major opposition party.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sacked the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark and voided the party’s presidential ticket held by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Judge Peter Lifu said the “Mark-led Caretaker Committee, which conducted the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as its flag bearer,” is illegal.
The judge sacked the entire national officers of the party, including National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, alongside all the candidates the party presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 elections.
If upheld by higher courts on appeal, the judgement means the ADC, a major challenger to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is barred from fielding candidates in the upcoming general elections.
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