ADC Factional Chair Bala Hails Court Ruling Nullifying Atiku’s Candidacy

The factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Nafiu Bala Gombe, has commended the Federal High Court for what he described as its independent, impartial and courageous handling of the party’s leadership dispute, following the judgment that sacked the David Mark-led leadership and nullified Atiku Abubakar’s presidential candidacy.

The statement was issued on Thursday in reaction to the judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, which he instituted against the party, INEC, Mark, Aregbesola, and former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE COMMENDATION

Bala praised the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, for determining the case based on constitutional and statutory provisions rather than political considerations.

“With profound respect for the Bench, and with a deep sense of duty to the administration of justice in Nigeria, I most respectfully commend the Federal High Court and the trial judge for the independent, impartial and intellectually rigorous manner in which His Lordship handled and determined the above-referenced matter,” he said.

He described the dispute as politically sensitive and nationally significant, saying it raised important issues bordering on party autonomy, internal democracy, constitutional compliance, and the regulatory responsibilities of INEC.

THE PRINCIPLE

Bala said the judgment reinforced the principle that political parties must operate within the provisions of their constitutions and the Electoral Act.

“By subjecting the question of leadership emergence to constitutional and statutory scrutiny, rather than political expediency, His Lordship affirmed a foundational principle of Nigerian jurisprudence: political parties are not above their own constitutions, and the Electoral Act is not a mere suggestion,” he stated .

He argued that courts had a responsibility to intervene where political parties failed to comply with their established rules and procedures.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Where a party’s constitution prescribes a procedure for succession and leadership, that procedure must be obeyed. Where a political party fails to comply with the rules, procedures and constitutional provisions laid down for its own governance, the court is duty-bound to intervene to safeguard democracy, uphold the rule of law and prevent anarchy,” he said .

THE BACKGROUND

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had on Thursday nullified the leadership of the ADC led by former Senate President David Mark and invalidated decisions taken by the leadership, including the party’s presidential primary that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2027 general elections .

The court also nullified the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Secretary, as well as the appointments of other national officers and the nominations of candidates presented by the party for the 2027 elections .

Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

The court also ordered INEC not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025 .

THE SIGNIFICANCE

Bala said the judgment was significant beyond the immediate interests of the parties involved, noting that it demonstrated the judiciary’s capacity to decide politically sensitive matters without external influence.

“It restores public confidence that a judge can still decide on the law and the facts alone, uninfluenced by political pressure, media commentary or the weight of personalities involved in the suit,” he said .”It affirms that leadership must emerge through lawful process, not through imposition, and that aggrieved members have a legitimate right to seek redress in court rather than resort to self-help” .

WHY IT MATTERS

For Bala, the judgment is a vindication. He argued that he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership following Nwosu’s resignation, and the court agreed.

For Atiku Abubakar, the judgment is a catastrophe. His presidential candidacy has been nullified, and the party that nominated him has been declared illegitimate.

For the ADC, the ruling is an existential crisis. The party has vowed to appeal, but until a higher court rules otherwise, it has no valid candidates for the 2027 elections. The legal battle is not over. But for now, Bala has won. And Atiku has lost. ValidViewNetwork reports.