The political future of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections has suffered a major setback following a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark.
The court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, declared the David Mark-led caretaker committee illegal, ruling that the process through which the committee assumed control of the party was not in accordance with the law.
In its ruling delivered on Thursday, the court invalidated the actions and decisions taken by the caretaker committee, raising fresh questions about the legitimacy of the party’s recent political activities.
The judgement also casts uncertainty over the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, as the presidential primary that reportedly produced him was conducted under the leadership structure now declared illegal by the court.
The development represents a significant blow to the party’s preparations for the next presidential election, particularly as political alignments and opposition strategies continue to take shape ahead of the 2027 polls.
It also raises concerns about the future leadership of the ADC and the validity of decisions taken by the dissolved caretaker structure.
However, the implications of the ruling for Atiku’s candidacy and the party’s next political steps will depend on the full terms of the judgement and any subsequent legal proceedings.
