A Federal High Court in Abuja has reportedly nullified the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, in a ruling that could throw the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections into fresh uncertainty.
The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe as the only recognised member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), according to reports.
The ruling followed a suit instituted by Gombe, who challenged the process through which the Mark-led leadership assumed control of the opposition party.
Gombe had argued that following the resignation of the ADC’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership, having served as its National Deputy Chairman for the North-East.
He maintained that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership was inconsistent with the party’s constitution and consequently asked the court to invalidate decisions and actions taken by the disputed leadership.
Among the actions challenged were the party’s political arrangements and the presidential primary that reportedly produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The latest development represents a significant setback for the Mark-led faction, which had been at the centre of the coalition’s efforts to consolidate the ADC as a major opposition platform ahead of the next general elections.
The dispute has been ongoing since 2025, when disagreements emerged over the succession arrangements following Nwosu’s departure from the party’s leadership.
The legal battle has also involved INEC, which previously suspended dealings with the contending factions while awaiting judicial clarification on the party’s authentic leadership.
The reported judgment could have far-reaching implications for the ADC’s internal administration, its planned electoral activities and the validity of decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership.
However, further details of the court’s judgment, including its full orders and any possible appeal by the affected leadership, are awaited.
