ADC CRISIS DEEPENS AS COURT NULLIFIES ATIKU'S 2027 PRESIDENTIAL TICKET AMID CHRIS UBA'S RIVAL CANDIDACY CLAIM

The Federal High Court's judgment invalidating the David Mark-led ADC leadership and Atiku Abubakar's presidential nomination has plunged the opposition party into fresh uncertainty, with the Nafiu Bala Gombe faction insisting that Professor Chris Uba is its recognised presidential flag bearer.

The political crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a significant turn following a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja nullifying the party's National Working Committee led by former Senate President, David Mark, and invalidating the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party's presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The judgment, delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, followed a legal challenge instituted by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who questioned the legitimacy of the process through which the David Mark-led leadership emerged.

The court reportedly held that the emergence of the disputed leadership violated provisions of the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

Consequently, the court nullified decisions taken under the disputed leadership, including the process that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party's presidential flag bearer. It also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise decisions taken at the party's July 27, 2025 National Executive Committee meeting. 

The latest judicial development has brought renewed attention to the rival ADC faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, which had earlier rejected Atiku Abubakar's claim to the party's presidential ticket.

On July 1, 2026, the faction publicly declared Professor Chris Uba its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, insisting that it had concluded its internal nomination processes in accordance with the party's constitution.

In its earlier statement, the faction maintained that Atiku was not its recognised presidential candidate and described Professor Chris Uba as its duly nominated flag bearer.

The faction's position has now gained renewed political attention following the November 5 judgment, which invalidated the leadership structure and nomination process associated with the David Mark-led camp. 

Despite the court's decision, the ADC leadership associated with David Mark and Atiku Abubakar has rejected the judgment, describing it as legally questionable and politically motivated.

The party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, argued that the ruling contradicted an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court, which the party maintains affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led leadership.

The ADC has consequently vowed to challenge the decision through available judicial processes, insisting that it would not accept consequential orders arising from what it considers a flawed determination.

Atiku Abubakar has also indicated his intention to challenge the ruling, maintaining that the development represents an attempt to frustrate his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development places INEC at the centre of the unfolding political and legal controversy, particularly regarding which faction's leadership and nomination processes it can recognise in accordance with valid court orders.

Although the court directed the electoral commission not to recognise decisions taken at the disputed July 2025 ADC NEC meeting, the precise implications for the party's competing presidential nominations will depend on the applicable court orders and subsequent legal proceedings.

As of November 6, 2026, independent confirmation that INEC has formally replaced Atiku Abubakar's name with Professor Chris Uba's name on its presidential candidate portal has not been established.

The unfolding situation therefore leaves the ADC facing critical questions over its leadership, presidential nomination and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

For now, the battle over who legitimately controls the ADC and who can fly its presidential flag remains far from settled, with the appellate courts potentially playing a decisive role in determining the next chapter of the controversy.

SPOTLIGHT ONLINE NEWS will continue to monitor developments surrounding the ADC leadership crisis and the legal battle over its 2027 presidential ticket.