Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar arrived in Kebbi State on the afternoon of 5 November 2026, having departed from Sokoto to take part in a scheduled African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign rally. The trip occurred just hours after the Abuja Federal High Court ruled that his nomination as the ADC candidate for the 2027 general election was null and void.
What did the court decide?
Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court delivered a judgment on Thursday that invalidated the internal processes that produced Atiku as the party's flag‑bearer. The ruling also struck down the emergence of former Senate President David Mark, former Governor Rauf Aregbesola and several other party officials as national leaders of the ADC.
Why was the judgment issued?
The decision upheld a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who serves as a Deputy National Chairman of the ADC. Gombe challenged the legitimacy of the elections that saw Mark and Aregbesola ascend to senior party positions, arguing that the procedures breached the party's constitution.
What are the broader implications?
The court ordered the cancellation of all actions taken by the David Mark‑led faction of the ADC, including the party's submission of candidate lists for the upcoming 2027 elections. This effectively leaves the ADC without an officially recognised presidential candidate and without a validated leadership structure.
How did Atiku respond?
A video posted on the social platform X by user Rashee captured Atiku’s convoy moving from Sokoto toward Kebbi, confirming his intention to proceed with the rally despite the legal setback. No public statement from Atiku was released at the time of the video.
What does this mean for the ADC’s campaign?
The party now faces an urgent need to resolve its internal leadership crisis before it can field candidates for the 2027 polls. The nullification may trigger fresh internal elections or a possible appeal to higher courts, though no official timetable has been announced.
The episode underscores the volatile nature of Nigeria’s pre‑election landscape, where legal challenges and intra‑party disputes can rapidly alter the political playing field.