Court sacks ADC's David Mark-led leadership, voids Atiku's presidential nomination

A Federal High Court in Abuja has removed the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and voided its decisions, including the nomination of former vice-president Atiku Abubakar as the party's 2027 presidential candidate, according to reports on Thursday, 5 November 2026.
The judgment
Justice Peter Lifu reportedly delivered the judgment in a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former national deputy chairman of the ADC for the North-East. The court ruled against the caretaker committee led by former Senate President David Mark and set aside all decisions it took on behalf of the party, which would include the primary that produced Atiku as candidate. Full details of the court's reasoning and any orders to INEC were still emerging.
Timing
The ruling came less than 24 hours after Atiku formally launched his presidential campaign at a rally in Sokoto, which his campaign said drew a large crowd.
Background
The ADC became the platform of a coalition of opposition figures in 2025, with David Mark as interim national chairman. Its leadership has faced legal challenges from former officials who say they were wrongly pushed aside. Several court cases over party primaries are ongoing across all major parties, and courts have recently sacked candidates in Nasarawa and ordered changes elsewhere.
What happens next
The ADC and Atiku are widely expected to appeal. Until the appeal is decided, it is not clear how the ruling will affect his candidacy or the party's campaign. Neither Atiku nor the party had responded publicly at the time of reporting.
- The court voided all decisions of the Mark-led caretaker committee.
- That includes Atiku's nomination as presidential candidate.
- An appeal is widely expected.


