Worldview Advisory
Nigeria

Federal High Court sacks ADC leadership and voids Atiku's presidential candidacy

The ruling bars the opposition ADC from fielding 2027 candidates unless higher courts reverse it, a shift that matters for the election contest and party operations.

Photo: LEADERSHIP Newspapers

What happened

On Thursday, a Federal High Court in Abuja sacked the national working committee of the African Democratic Congress led by Senator David Mark. allafrica.com+2 Justice Peter Lifu declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and nullified its actions, including the presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party's flag bearer. allafrica.com+2 The judgement also removed all national officers of the party, including National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and the candidates the party had submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 elections. allafrica.com If upheld on appeal, the ruling would bar the ADC, a major challenger to the ruling All Progressives Congress, from fielding candidates in the upcoming general elections. allafrica.com

Around it

The ADC said it will challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal, and Atiku alleged a calculated attempt by the ruling party to cripple the opposition. ABN TV Nine opposition parties under the Coalition for Democracy described the judgement as a dangerous escalation in a systematic campaign to eliminate credible opposition, and said the ADC supports the coalition's position. Vanguard+1 Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo hailed the ruling as justice well served, while Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi urged the judiciary to protect democracy and electoral certainty. ABN TV Arewa Think Tank convener Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu backed the judgement, saying political ambitions must not be placed above the constitution and the rule of law. Blueprint

What comes next

The ADC has said it will appeal the ruling at the Court of Appeal. ABN TV

Sources

  1. allafrica.comNigeria: Court Nullifies Atiku's Candidacy, Sacks All ADC Candidates, Party Leadership
  2. ABN TVHigh Court Ruling: ADC Heads To Appeal, Insists Mark, Aregbesola Remain Party Leaders
  3. VanguardNine parties back ADC after David Mark's leadership sack
  4. LEADERSHIP NewspapersADC Judgement: Nigeria’s Democracy Under Threat, Coalition Of Opposition Parties Allege
  5. BlueprintPolitical Ambitions Must Respect Rule of Law

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