Will Atiku Abubakar be on Nigeria's presidential ballot after court ruling?
Summary
Nigeria’s Federal High Court ruled that the leadership of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) was invalidly appointed and that Atiku Abubakar’s presidential nomination was invalid. The ADC says it will appeal; for now, the electoral commission’s final candidate list still includes Abubakar, leaving uncertainty over his place on the ballot and the party’s other candidates.Key Facts
- The court ruling was issued by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja on Thursday.
- The dispute concerns whether David Mark and other party leaders were lawfully appointed without a national convention.
- Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC national deputy chairman, argued that he should have taken over the party leadership after the former chairman resigned in 2025.
- In July, a different Federal High Court judge ruled that Mark had been chosen in accordance with Nigerian law and the party constitution.
- The ADC said it would challenge the latest ruling at the Court of Appeal.
- The electoral commission’s final candidate list currently names Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate, with Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
- Nigeria’s presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.
- The ruling could create uncertainty about who can represent the ADC and affect hundreds of the party’s candidates.
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