ADC REJECTS RULING NULLIFYING ATIKU’S CANDIDACY, VOWS APPEAL

The African Democratic Congress has vowed to appeal a Federal High Court judgment nullifying its David Mark-led leadership and decisions taken under it, including Atiku Abubakar’s nomination for the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement on Thursday, National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the party disputed the ruling and would pursue available legal remedies.

Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment following a suit by former ADC Deputy National Chairman for the North-East, Nafiu Bala Gombe, challenging how Mark and other committee members assumed leadership.

The court held that the process violated the party’s constitution and relevant legal provisions. It also directed INEC not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s July 27, 2025 National Executive Committee meeting.

Lawyers representing the plaintiff said the judgment affected subsequent actions by the leadership, including the selection of candidates for 2027.

The ADC challenged that interpretation and cited an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman on July 2, 2026, which it said recognised the Mark-led leadership.

The party argued that the latest ruling raised questions about conflicting decisions by courts of equal standing.

However, it acknowledged that it was awaiting the Certified True Copy to establish the judgment’s exact terms and scope.

The ADC also alleged political interference, but the supplied report did not establish evidence supporting that accusation.

It urged members to remain calm and law-abiding while the legal challenge proceeds. No appeal outcome or stay of execution was announced in the report.