The 2027 presidential ticket of Nigeria’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) faces uncertainty after a court in Abuja invalidated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s nomination Nov. 5.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the ruling after Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC deputy national chairman for the North-East, challenged how former Senate President David Mark’s leadership took office following Ralph Nwosu’s resignation as party chairman.
Voice of Nigeria reported that the ruling canceled nominations for all ADC candidates. The broader effect is unconfirmed; the party says it needs the certified judgment to determine whether other nominees are affected.
The ADC says it will appeal. The party argues that a separate Federal High Court judgment dated July 2, 2026, affirmed Mark’s National Working Committee and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize it.
INEC’s calendar schedules the presidential and National Assembly elections for Jan. 16, 2027.
