The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and voided the party’s presidential ticket held by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Presiding Judge Peter Lifu delivered the ruling, which removes the leadership structure headed by former Senate President David Mark. The court found that the Mark-led Caretaker Committee lacked the legal authority to conduct the presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate.
The judgement disrupts the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections by invalidating the party’s current presidential aspirant. The decision leaves the party in a state of leadership uncertainty and questions its strategic positioning for the next election cycle.
Mandate of the ADC Caretaker Committee
The ruling centres on the legal boundaries of interim party leadership in Nigeria. Under the Electoral Act and standard political party constitutions, caretaker committees are typically tasked with the administrative management of a party during transition periods. Their mandate is generally limited to maintaining party structures and organising legitimate national conventions to elect substantive leaders.
Judge Lifu’s judgement concluded that the committee led by David Mark exceeded its constitutional powers. The court held that the committee did not have the legal capacity to preside over a presidential primary, as this is a fundamental exercise that determines the party’s permanent leadership and its candidate for the highest office.
For Atiku Abubakar, the ruling presents a major setback to his political trajectory within the ADC. The invalidation of his candidacy means the party must now undergo a legitimate process to select a candidate, a move that could delay the party’s strategic planning and coordination.
The removal of the Mark-led leadership also necessitates an immediate restructuring of the ADC. The party is now required to hold a proper national convention to elect substantive officers and conduct a valid primary election that complies with judicial and electoral standards.
The ADC leadership and the legal representatives for Atiku Abubakar have not yet issued a formal response to the court’s decision. Legal experts suggest the matter may be taken to the Court of Appeal to challenge the interpretation of the caretaker committee’s powers.
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