Bala hails court ruling nullifying Mark-led ADC leadership
The factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala Gombe, has praised the Federal High Court in Abuja for nullifying former Senate President David Mark’s leadership and invalidating the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2027 general election.
Bala described Thursday’s judgment as a victory for constitutionalism, internal democracy, and the rule of law, arguing that political parties must operate within their constitutions and the Electoral Act.
*Mark-Bala
Abimbola Joseph
The factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala Gombe, has praised the Federal High Court in Abuja for nullifying former Senate President David Mark’s leadership and invalidating the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2027 general election.
Bala described Thursday’s judgment as a victory for constitutionalism, internal democracy, and the rule of law, arguing that political parties must operate within their constitutions and the Electoral Act.
In a statement reacting to the judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Bala commended Justice Peter Lifu for what he called an impartial and courageous handling of the leadership dispute.
He said the court had demonstrated that political considerations should not override constitutional provisions in determining leadership disputes within political parties.
According to him, the judgment reaffirmed that political parties are bound by their constitutions and cannot disregard established procedures for appointing or replacing their leaders.
“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.
Justice Lifu had, in his ruling, nullified the emergence of the Mark-led National Working Committee 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 elections.
The court also nullified the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary, alongside the appointments of other national officers and the nomination of candidates presented by the party for the forthcoming elections.
It further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
The judge held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated provisions of the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
The case was instituted by Bala, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the party’s caretaker committee assumed control following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Bala had argued that his position as deputy national chairman entitled him to assume leadership of the party after Nwosu’s departure.
He consequently challenged the emergence of Mark as national chairman and Aregbesola as national secretary, insisting that the appointments breached the party’s constitutional provisions.
The suit listed the ADC, INEC, Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu as the first to fifth defendants, respectively.
The substantive judgment followed earlier proceedings in which the interlocutory aspect of the dispute reached the Supreme Court, which directed that the matter return to the Federal High Court for determination.
Bala said the ruling went beyond the immediate interests of the parties, describing it as an important demonstration of judicial independence in politically sensitive disputes.
He added that the decision would strengthen public confidence in the judiciary by showing that political leaders and parties remained subject to the law.
The factional chairman also commended his legal team for its diligence and professionalism throughout the proceedings, while thanking supporters across the country for their solidarity and prayers.
