A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sacked the Senator David Mark-led Caretaker Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and nullified all actions taken under its leadership, including the primary election that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Delivering judgment on Thursday in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Justice Peter Lifu declared the caretaker committee unlawful, unconstitutional, and in direct breach of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
The suit was brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, who challenged the takeover of party leadership by Senator Mark and former Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola following the resignation of the former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu. Gombe argued that under the party’s statutes, he was constitutionally positioned to assume leadership upon Nwosu’s resignation, rendering the imposition of the Mark-led leadership illegal.
Justice Lifu upheld the plaintiff’s prayers and restrained Senator Mark and Aregbesola from continuing to parade themselves as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively. The court consequently ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise Gombe as the only validly recognised member of the party’s National Executive Committee and set aside all congresses, primary elections, and nominations conducted under the sacked leadership.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC leadership rejected the ruling and declared its intention to seek legal redress immediately. Speaking on behalf of the party, National Welfare Secretary Nkemakolam Ukandu announced that the ADC will appeal the verdict at the Court of Appeal to seek a stay of execution and restore stability to its 2027 electoral preparations.
