Analysis: Why the ADC judgment leaves Atiku’s candidacy in limbo

A Federal High Court judgment has put the African Democratic Congress’s 2027 preparations in legal limbo, Punch reports, and the fallout turns on four issues.

First, legal basis. The defendants argued the dispute was an internal party matter, but Justice Peter Lifu held that political parties are not exempt from constitutional and statutory requirements. He ruled that the emergence of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola had not been shown to satisfy the requirement for democratic elections under section 82(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.

Second, scope. The judge voided every decision of the Mark-led National Working Committee, including Atiku Abubakar’s presidential nomination, yet declined to declare Nafiu Bala Gombe substantive chairman. He distinguished “the invalidity of a process from the plaintiff’s claim to automatic succession.” Gombe’s four-year tenure also expired on October 11, 2026, about three weeks before the judgment, which leaves his status unclear.

Third, evidence. The court rejected Gombe’s alleged resignation letter after comparing signatures, weakening the Mark faction’s central argument. The ADC insists the letter is genuine and says INEC holds a copy, while its campaign council says a video shows Gombe calling Mark chairman. The Court of Appeal is likely to settle the question.

Fourth, timing. INEC says “there is really nothing that we can do about it” until it receives the Certified True Copy, which candidates say had not been released five days on. They have petitioned the UN, the US Embassy and others. The article does not say whether the judgment is suspended pending appeal, so the ballot position of ADC candidates, including Atiku, remains uncertain.