By Saidu Abubakar
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, today Thursday 5th November, 2026, sacked the David Mark-led ADC leadership and nullified Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential ticket, including all other ADC candidates.
He said the Mark caretaker committee was illegal, and told INEC not to recognise anything from the ADC’s 99th NEC meeting of July 27, 2025.
The case was filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, former ADC Deputy Chairman.
It came just 24 hours after Atiku’s massive rally in Sokoto.
ADC Reacts, rejectung it completely.
1. Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary:
“APC wants to set Nigeria on fire. This is not about Atiku or David Mark, it’s about democracy itself.”
He said: The judgment was “long written” – Sokoto rally just triggered it. It’s a “planned judicial assault on the opposition” ahead of 2027. “Do not play with fires you cannot control. The peace and stability of Nigeria are bigger than the ambition of any president or political party.”
2. Atiku himself said:
“No shaking.”
He said the timing is no coincidence, it’s to weaken his support in the North. Urged supporters to stay calm, peaceful, and keep campaigning house-to-house.
The Legal argument: ADC says there’s already a subsisting judgment from Justice Musa Liman on July 2, 2026 that affirmed Mark’s leadership and told INEC to recognise it. They say one High Court judge cannot overrule another judge of equal rank.
What next for ADC: Appeal to Court of Appeal immediately; Petition NJC over the judge’s conduct; They say ticket remains intact pending appeal; Waiting for Certified True Copy to see exact orders.
ADC insists this is ruling-APC using courts to kill the opposition because they are gaining momentum.
