Nigerian court invalidates ADC leadership and Atiku Abubakar’s nomination

Nigeria’s Federal High Court has removed the African Democratic Congress leadership and ruled that its presidential candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, was not validly nominated. The decision could unsettle the main opposition party ahead of January’s election and create uncertainty for its other candidates.

The case was brought by former ADC deputy chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe, who argued that David Mark’s appointment as interim chairman was unlawful. A judge had previously upheld Mark’s leadership in July; the ADC says it will appeal the latest ruling, while Abubakar, 79, says he will remain in the race. The electoral commission’s final candidate list still includes him, with Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.