Nigeria's Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a ruling that removes the current leadership of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) and declares the presidential nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar invalid. The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, arrives only months before the scheduled presidential elections on 16 January, creating significant legal uncertainty for the party and its candidates.
The dispute centers on the internal leadership structure of the ADC. Following the resignation of the party's former chairman in 2025, high-profile figures—including Atiku Abubakar and former Senate president David Mark—joined the ADC and began occupying key roles, with Mark serving as interim chairman. This move was challenged by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC national deputy chairman, who argued that these appointments were unlawful as they were not conducted through a formal national convention. Gombe contended that he was the rightful successor to the leadership position.
This legal challenge contradicts a previous ruling from July, in which judge Musa Liman had affirmed the legitimacy of Mark’s appointment in accordance with the party's constitution. In response to the latest judgment, Atiku Abubakar expressed concern over the conflicting legal outcomes, questioning why a settled dispute was allowed to be reopened. The ADC leadership issued a formal statement describing the court's decision as a "desperate attempt" to suppress opposition momentum and frustrate the presidential bid of the 79-year-old former vice-president.
Despite the court ruling, the electoral commission has already published its final list of candidates, which currently includes Abubakar and his running mate, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. The ADC has officially announced that it will challenge Justice Lifu’s decision at the Court of Appeal. The party remains optimistic about overturning the ruling and has urged its supporters to maintain focus on the campaign.
Abubakar, who is making his seventh attempt to secure the presidency, framed the legal setback as a reaction to his growing political influence. He noted that the judgment coincided with a large campaign rally in Sokoto, which he claimed signaled a widespread public desire for change amidst a national cost-of-living crisis. He remains confident that the ongoing legal challenges will be resolved in time for the upcoming polls.
The ruling has drawn criticism from other political quarters, including former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate Peter Obi. Describing the decision as shocking, Obi emphasized the public interest in electoral certainty just three months before the general election. He warned that undermining opposition parties threatens the broader health of Nigeria's democracy, particularly in the context of the current political climate in West Africa.
The political landscape in Nigeria has seen increased reliance on the judiciary to resolve internal party conflicts. For the ADC, which has become a significant destination for politicians disillusioned with the Peoples Democratic Party, the current saga poses a risk of creating confusion for hundreds of party candidates. As the situation evolves, the focus remains on the upcoming appeals process and whether the legal challenges will impact the final ballot for the January contest.
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