The ruling stems from a petition filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former deputy national chairman of the ADC, who challenged the manner in which David Mark assumed the role of acting chairman. This legal development creates significant uncertainty for the opposition, which had positioned the ADC as a unified platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Abubakar’s camp immediately rejected the verdict, describing it as a calculated attempt to weaken the opposition and frustrate his candidacy. Frank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, stated that the timing of the judgment, which came shortly after the launch of the campaign in Sokoto State, was not a coincidence. “Bola no fit use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box,” Shaibu said, asserting that the move was part of a strategy to weaken support in the North.
Legal experts indicate that the ADC’s primary option is to appeal the decision to the Nigerian Court of Appeal. El-Zubair Abubakar, a Nigerian-based legal expert, noted that an appeal could seek to suspend the federal court ruling, allowing the party to continue campaign activities. If the case proceeds to the Supreme Court, a final decision would likely be required before the 2027 polls. The ADC has stated its intention to pursue this appellate route.
The ruling has reopened questions about the legal foundation of the Mark-led leadership, despite an earlier judgment by Justice Musa Liman on July 2 that Abubakar’s camp argued had already addressed the dispute. That previous case was instituted by Leke Abejide, a member of the House of Representatives, who also challenged the emergence of the current leadership.
Defection to another party is not a viable immediate option for Abubakar. Section 77 of the Nigerian Electoral Act requires registration with a political party 30 days before primary elections to be eligible to contest. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the primary election period from April 23 to May 30, a timeframe that has already closed. Audu Bulama Bukarti, a UK-based legal scholar, confirmed that while Abubakar can change parties, he would not be eligible to run for office under the amended 2026 electoral law.
The crisis occurs with approximately 68 days remaining until the presidential election. The legal standoff raises concerns about the ADC’s ability to maintain internal stability and organize an effective nationwide campaign. Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo commented that Nigeria’s democracy would not collapse if Abubakar were removed from the ballot, though the ruling has intensified scrutiny over electoral integrity and the operational capacity of the opposition coalition.
