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Court Sacks Mark-Led ADC Exco, Voids Atiku's Candidacy

On Thursday, a Federal High Court in Abuja declared the David Mark-led caretaker committee of the African Democratic Congress illegal, nullifying former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's presidential candidacy for the January 16, 2027, election.
Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman, filed the suit challenging the leadership transition after former national chairman Ralph Nwosu's 2025 resignation, arguing the process violated the party constitution and Electoral Act.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to disregard all decisions from the party's July 27, 2025, National Executive Committee meeting, effectively voiding primary election outcomes and all subsequent party actions.
ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi labeled the judgment a 'desperate attempt' by the All Progressives Congress to cripple the opposition, claiming the timing barely 24 hours after Atiku's Sokoto rally was orchestrated political manipulation.
Legal analysts expect the dispute to reach the Supreme Court before the January 16, 2027, general election, leaving the ADC's status and thousands of candidates in legal limbo as President Bola Tinubu's primary opposition challenger faces potential disqualification.

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