OMM Newsroom
A Nigerian Federal High Court has nullified former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s nomination as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, dealing a setback to opposition efforts to challenge President Bola Tinubu, Anadolu Agency reported.
In a ruling on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu also invalidated the party’s national executive committee, led by former Senate President David Mark. The court found that the committee had been unlawfully constituted and lacked authority to act for the party.
The judgment followed a lawsuit by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC deputy national chairman. He challenged the way Mark and his allies took control of the party after its former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, resigned.
Gombe argued that he was constitutionally entitled to lead the party after Nwosu’s departure and asked the court to invalidate decisions made by the Mark-led leadership.
The court upheld Gombe’s claims and declared the disputed leadership’s actions invalid, including the presidential primary that selected Abubakar as the ADC candidate.
Abubakar, who served as Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007, had already launched his presidential campaign and chosen former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
The ADC has indicated that it will appeal the judgment, setting up further legal battles over the party’s leadership and its preparations for the election.
The ruling comes as opposition politicians seek to unite under the ADC to challenge Tinubu’s ruling All Progressives Congress. The coalition includes several prominent political figures seeking to build an alternative platform ahead of the vote.
Nigeria’s presidential election is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2027. Insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and concerns about democratic governance are expected to feature prominently in the contest.
