The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has vowed to appeal the Thursday, November 5, 2026, Federal High Court judgment in Abuja nullifying the leadership of Sen. David Mark and invalidating the party’s presidential primary that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2027 election.
The council, through its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu as having been overtaken by events. Ologbondiyan argued that the ruling had no practical effect because an earlier judgment by Justice Musa Liman of the same court had upheld the leadership transition from former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, to Mark and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola.
He said the earlier ruling examined the process through which Mark and Aregbesola emerged at the party’s July 29, 2025 National Executive Council meeting, which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Ologbondiyan maintained that the latest judgment could not override an existing decision of a court of coordinate jurisdiction on the same subject matter. He also questioned the timing of the ruling, coming after the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto, and raised concerns over alleged political interference and judicial pressure.
The ADC-PCC said its legal team was taking steps to challenge the judgment through appropriate judicial channels, including seeking interim relief and a stay of execution where applicable. Ologbondiyan urged party members, candidates and supporters to remain calm and continue their campaigns, insisting that Mark remained the party’s recognised National Chairman and Aregbesola its National Secretary.
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