The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has welcomed the Federal High Court judgment that invalidated the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark, declaring that justice may be delayed but will eventually prevail.
Keyamo, who reacted to the judgment delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, said the court’s decision demonstrated that political parties must operate within the provisions of their constitutions and the country’s electoral laws.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal and invalidated actions taken by the committee.
Among the affected decisions was the committee’s involvement in the political process that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Reacting to the ruling, Keyamo argued that the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the Mark-led leadership were fundamentally flawed, insisting that the takeover of an established political party could not be justified without following the required constitutional procedures.
According to the minister, a political party built and owned by Nigerians cannot be taken over through arrangements that bypass its recognised organs and internal democratic processes.
He maintained that the alleged involvement of a national chairman in facilitating the leadership change without the approval of the appropriate party organs raised serious legal questions.
Keyamo also rejected suggestions that the controversy surrounding the ADC leadership was orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken the opposition.
He argued that those responsible for the party’s leadership crisis should not shift responsibility to the ruling party instead of addressing the legal issues surrounding their actions.
The minister further insisted that the court’s decision was based on evidence and applicable laws rather than political sentiments, public outrage or the interests of particular individuals.
“Sorry, but the law is decided on facts and evidence, rather than sentiments and outrage by a group of people,” Keyamo said.
How the ADC Leadership Crisis Reached the Court
The judgment followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, the ADC’s former National Deputy Chairman (North-East).
Gombe approached the court seeking to invalidate decisions and actions taken by the David Mark-led leadership, arguing that he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership responsibilities following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu.
He challenged the emergence of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, contending that their emergence violated the ADC constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.
The suit listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu as defendants.
Gombe asked the court to restrain Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.
After considering the arguments presented, Justice Lifu upheld the plaintiff’s claims and granted the reliefs sought.
Judgment Comes After Atiku’s Sokoto Campaign Rally
The ruling came barely 24 hours after Atiku Abubakar held a political rally in Sokoto State as part of his campaign activities ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
Atiku had been listed by INEC as the ADC’s presidential candidate and subsequently selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
The court’s decision has therefore introduced fresh uncertainty into the opposition party’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election, particularly concerning the validity of its leadership structure and decisions taken under the Mark-led committee.
However, the ADC has rejected the judgment and announced plans to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the case as an interested party, confirmed that the party would pursue an appeal against the ruling.
Keyamo Insists ADC Remains Alive Despite Leadership Dispute
Despite the controversy generated by the judgment, Keyamo dismissed suggestions that the court’s decision represented a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
He argued that democracy should not be judged solely by whether a particular presidential aspirant, including Atiku, is able to contest an election.
The minister maintained that the ADC remained a viable political party with members and original leaders whose political rights should be recognised.
He said the existence of the party was not dependent on the leadership ambitions of Mark and his associates, adding that the judgment should not be interpreted as an attempt to eliminate the opposition.
The development is expected to generate further political and legal debates as the ADC moves to challenge the ruling, with the outcome of the appeal likely to have significant implications for the party’s leadership and its preparations for the 2027 general election.
SEO keywords: Festus Keyamo, David Mark, ADC leadership crisis, Atiku Abubakar 2027, Federal High Court judgment, ADC court ruling, Nafiu Bala Gombe, 2027 presidential election, Nigerian politics.
Meta description: Festus Keyamo hails the Federal High Court judgment invalidating David Mark-led ADC leadership as the opposition party announces plans to appeal the ruling.
