2027: Court voids Atiku’s candidacy, sacks ADC caretaker committee

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sacked the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and nullified all its actions, including the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its 2027 presidential candidate, Vanguard reports.

Justice Peter Lifu declared illegal the Mark-led Caretaker Committee, which conducted the primary that produced Atiku.

The ruling followed a suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, the party’s former National Deputy Chairman (North-East), who claimed the leadership after former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu resigned.

He also sought to stop Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from parading themselves as National Chairman and Secretary, saying their emergence breached the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act. The court granted his reliefs.

The ADC’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the party would appeal.

The verdict comes barely 24 hours after Atiku, who has picked former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi as running mate, campaigned in Sokoto ahead of the January 16, 2027 poll.