Politics · Other · 2 hrs ago
Nigerian court voids Atiku Abubakar’s presidential candidacy
A Nigerian court voided Atiku Abubakar’s presidential nomination on Thursday, two months before the January 2027 election.
The Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the leadership of the African Democratic Congress, or ADC, was not legally constituted.
The ruling also invalidated decisions made by that leadership, including the primary that selected Abubakar.
The ADC rejected the judgment and said it would challenge it, though it had not confirmed that an appeal had been filed.
The party accuses the ruling All Progressives Congress of trying to block its campaign, but it provided no evidence for the claim, and the APC had not responded.
Nigeria’s election pits incumbent President Bola Tinubu against a divided opposition that includes Abubakar and Peter Obi, who came second and third in 2023.
The ruling adds legal uncertainty to the race, while Nigeria faces economic troubles and rising insecurity.
A Federal High Court in Abuja voided Atiku Abubakar’s presidential nomination, two months before Nigeria’s January 2027 election.
The judge ruled that the leadership of the African Democratic Congress was illegally constituted.
The ruling also invalidated decisions made by the disputed leadership, including the party’s presidential primary, according to Channels Television as reported by Premium Times.
The ADC rejected the judgment and said it would challenge it.
The party accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of trying to keep it out of the election, but offered no evidence for the allegation.
- Who
- The Federal High Court in Abuja ruled against the African Democratic Congress and its presidential nominee, Atiku Abubakar.
- What
- The court voided Abubakar’s nomination after ruling that the party leadership was illegally constituted.
- When
- Thursday, November 5, 2026.
- Where
- Abuja, Nigeria.
- Why
- The judge found the ADC leadership was illegally constituted. The case was brought by former ADC National Deputy Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the leadership transition.
Federal High Court ruling
African Democratic Congress
Leadership
Federal High Court ruling
The judge ruled that the ADC leadership was illegally constituted.
African Democratic Congress
The ADC rejected the judgment and said it conflicted with an earlier ruling that upheld the leadership transition.
Effect on party decisions
Federal High Court ruling
The ruling invalidated decisions taken by the disputed leadership, including the presidential primary, according to Channels Television as reported by Premium Times.
African Democratic Congress
The ADC said it was awaiting the certified judgment to establish exactly what the judge ordered and said it would challenge the decision.
Justice Musa Liman dismissed a separate suit challenging the process through which David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola assumed party leadership, according to Premium Times.
Atiku Abubakar launched his presidential campaign in Sokoto.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the ruling voiding the ADC leadership and Atiku’s nomination.
- Court
- Federal High Court in Abuja
- Judge
- Peter Lifu
- Nominee affected
- Atiku Abubakar
- Party
- African Democratic Congress
- Election
- January 2027
6 sources
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What people are saying
The timing of this ruling is no coincidence
The Sokoto rally was simply a trigger that stampeded its delivery
The peace and stability of Nigeria are bigger than the ambition of any president or political party