The Federal High Court in Abuja’s decision to nullify the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Senator David Mark, has triggered reactions from former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP).
The court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, declared the Mark-led ADC caretaker committee illegal and invalidated all actions taken by the committee, including the presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC representing the North-East, who challenged the process through which the Mark-led leadership assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was entitled to assume leadership of the ADC.
The court upheld his claims and granted the reliefs sought, raising fresh questions about the party’s leadership structure and the status of Atiku’s 2027 presidential ticket.
The ruling came barely 24 hours after Atiku addressed supporters at a campaign rally in Sokoto State, a development that has further intensified political reactions ahead of the 2027 general election.
Reacting to the judgment, Atiku accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the court decision to frustrate his presidential ambition and weaken the growing political influence of the ADC.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, the former Vice-President alleged that the timing of the judgment was part of a wider strategy to undermine his support base in Northern Nigeria and disrupt the party’s campaign activities.
Atiku noted that the ruling came shortly after thousands of supporters welcomed him to Sokoto for the launch of the ADC campaign, insisting that the reception demonstrated Nigerians’ desire for political change.
He maintained that his presidential ambition was not restricted to Northern Nigeria, arguing that the economic difficulties confronting citizens cut across regional and ethnic boundaries.
Atiku said the hardship experienced by Nigerians had made his campaign message relevant across the country, adding that his proposed Affordable Life campaign would continue despite the court ruling.
He stated that the judgment would not diminish the ADC’s political appeal or stop its mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former Vice-President also questioned why the leadership dispute was reopened despite an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
According to Atiku, the earlier case had dismissed the challenge to the David Mark-led leadership after objections relating to jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies were upheld.
He described the latest proceedings as an attempt to circumvent an existing judgment and announced that the matter would be challenged at the Court of Appeal.
Atiku urged ADC supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, insisting that the party’s campaign activities would continue.
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi also expressed concern over the judgment, urging Nigerians and the judiciary to protect democratic principles and ensure that opposition parties are allowed to operate freely.
In a statement published on his X account on Thursday, Obi said he respected the authority of the courts to determine disputes but was concerned about the uncertainty the ruling could create as the country approaches the 2027 general election.
He argued that political parties and their candidates should have sufficient certainty to organise campaigns and participate in elections without prolonged disruptions.
Obi said the development raised broader questions about the space available to opposition parties in Nigeria, alleging that political instability and internal crises had affected opposition movements.
He also referred to his experience in the Labour Party, claiming that similar developments had contributed to difficulties within opposition politics.
The former presidential candidate maintained that voters, rather than prolonged political disputes, should ultimately determine who governs the country through the ballot box.
He called on the judiciary and relevant stakeholders to protect democratic institutions and ensure that political candidates could freely participate in electoral contests.
Obi further warned that Nigeria needed to strengthen its democratic institutions, particularly amid the spread of military rule in some West African countries.
He said opposition parties should be allowed to organise, campaign and compete without intimidation or persecution.
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) also condemned the judgment, alleging that it could weaken opposition political structures and undermine democratic competition.
In a statement issued through its Office of the Spokesperson in Abuja, the coalition described the ruling as part of what it called a broader effort to weaken viable opposition parties and create conditions for a one-party political system.
CUPP accused the APC-led government of benefiting from developments that could restrict political competition, while expressing concern over the judiciary’s role in resolving disputes involving political parties.
The coalition argued that the courts must protect the Constitution and the rights of Nigerians to participate in the political process.
It also called on the judiciary to avoid decisions that could undermine public confidence in the electoral system.
CUPP declared solidarity with the ADC and other opposition groups, promising to defend political pluralism and democratic participation.
The allegations against the APC and the judiciary represent the coalition’s position on the judgment and have not been established as findings of the court.
Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) criticised what it described as attempts to disqualify Atiku from the 2027 presidential election, insisting that political parties should be allowed to freely nominate and present their candidates.
The party’s National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Gombe, made the position known on Thursday in Abuja while addressing journalists after a meeting with the SDP’s nine governorship candidates.
Gombe called on the judiciary, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain impartial and protect the country’s democratic process.
He also accused the APC of attempting to infiltrate opposition parties and weaken their structures ahead of the elections.
The SDP chairman alleged that the proposed Rainbow Coalition was being used to attract opposition members and undermine unity among parties opposed to the ruling government.
However, he stressed that the SDP was working with other opposition groups towards building a coalition of Nigerians committed to credible elections.
According to him, the collaboration includes joint training for party agents and the establishment of common situation rooms to monitor electoral activities and protect votes at polling units.
Gombe reaffirmed the SDP’s commitment to its presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, and his running mate, Professor Usman Bugaje.
He also warned that the party would discipline any member who participated in the proposed Rainbow Coalition without authorisation.
The SDP chairman raised concerns over INEC’s alleged failure to publish the names of some of the party’s candidates, saying the matter was already before the court.
He also questioned aspects of the voters’ register and the creation of polling units, warning that electoral irregularities could undermine public confidence in the 2027 elections.
Earlier, the Chairman of the SDP Governors’ Forum and Nasarawa State governorship candidate, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, said the meeting was organised to strengthen the party’s structures and develop strategies for the 2027 general election.
Adamu explained that the governorship candidates shared experiences from their respective states and discussed ways to address organisational challenges ahead of the polls.
The meeting brought together nine governorship candidates and members of the party’s National Working Committee as part of preparations for the presidential, governorship and legislative elections.
The ADC has also indicated its intention to challenge the Federal High Court’s decision at the Court of Appeal.
The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined as an interested party in the case, confirmed that the party would pursue an appeal against the judgment.
The development leaves the ADC facing fresh legal and organisational challenges, particularly over the validity of its leadership structure and the decisions taken by the Mark-led caretaker committee.
With the 2027 general election approaching, the outcome of the appeal and subsequent legal proceedings could have significant implications for the party’s leadership, candidate selection and campaign arrangements.
The dispute has also intensified the debate over internal party democracy, judicial intervention in political affairs and the ability of opposition parties to organise and participate in Nigeria’s electoral process.
