Court Nullifies Atiku’s 2027 Presidential Candidacy: Here’s Why

A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election following a leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The judgment, delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, declared the party’s leadership under former Senate President David Mark illegal, effectively invalidating the processes that produced Atiku as its presidential candidate.

The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman, who challenged the legitimacy of the party’s leadership structure.

Gombe argued that the process through which Mark and other officials assumed leadership violated the ADC constitution and relevant electoral laws.

Justice Lifu upheld the challenge, ruling that the David Mark-led caretaker committee lacked the legal authority to conduct party activities, including the presidential primary that produced Atiku.

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Consequently, the court nullified the emergence of Mark as national chairman, Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, and other national officers.

The judgment also invalidated the nominations of other ADC candidates for the 2027 general elections and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise decisions arising from the disputed leadership.

Reacting to the development, Atiku rejected the ruling, describing it as an attempt to undermine his presidential campaign and weaken opposition forces ahead of the election.

The ADC also criticised the judgment, alleging political interference and announcing plans to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

The ruling represents a significant setback for Atiku, who emerged as one of President Bola Tinubu’s strongest challengers after finishing second in the 2023 presidential election.

However, the legal battle is far from over, as an appeal could determine whether Atiku ultimately remains on the ballot.

For now, the judgment has intensified uncertainty surrounding the ADC’s participation in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.