The court dismissed the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and declared the party’s nomination of Atiku Abubakar invalid. The judgment was delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja.
Key points
- Federal High Court declared Atiku Abubakar’s ADC nomination invalid.
- Court also removed the ADC’s leadership, citing unlawful appointments.
- ADC plans to appeal; Peter Obi called the ruling a threat to democracy.
- Election commission still lists Abubakar on the ballot.
Details of the court decision
Former ADC deputy chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe argued that the party’s interim chairman, former Senate president David Mark, had not been elected at a national convention, and that Gombe himself should have taken over after the previous chairman resigned in 2025.
Background to the dispute
Atiku Abubakar is making his seventh bid for the presidency. He served as vice‑president from 1999 to 2007 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which later suffered internal fighting. Several high‑profile politicians, including Abubakar and former Senate president David Mark, joined the ADC in 2025, positioning the party as the main opposition to President Bola Tinubu.
Earlier in July, a different judge, Musa Liman, had ruled that Mark’s appointment complied with Nigerian law and the ADC constitution.
Why it matters
The ruling could create uncertainty for hundreds of ADC candidates and raise questions about who can legally represent the party. Despite the judgment, the electoral commission’s final list still includes Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Opposition leaders argue that the decision threatens the balance of political competition ahead of the 16 January presidential election.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Atiku Abubakar election ruling?
The Federal High Court in Abuja declared that Atiku Abubakar’s nomination by the ADC is invalid and removed the party’s leadership.
How did Peter Obi respond to the court decision?
Peter Obi posted a statement on X saying the ruling threatens democracy and called for certainty before the election.
Sources: BBC News
Image: Representative image (AI-generated)
This article was written with AI assistance and checked against the cited sources.
