ADC Factional Chairman Nafiu Bala Reacts To Court Judgment Voiding Atiku’s Candidacy

The factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala Gombe, has commended the Federal High Court for what he described as an independent, impartial, and courageous ruling on the party’s internal leadership dispute.

In a statement released on Thursday following the judgment in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Bala praised the trial judge for deciding the matter strictly according to constitutional and statutory provisions rather than political considerations.

He noted that the legal challenge addressed fundamental issues regarding internal party democracy, constitutional adherence, and the regulatory oversight of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“With profound respect for the Bench, and with a deep sense of duty to the administration of justice in Nigeria, I most respectfully commend the Federal High Court and the trial judge for the independent, impartial and intellectually rigorous manner in which His Lordship handled and determined the above-referenced matter,” Bala stated.

He added that the judicial outcome reinforces the principle that political organizations must abide by their own statutory frameworks and the Electoral Act.

“By subjecting the question of leadership emergence to constitutional and statutory scrutiny, rather than political expediency, His Lordship affirmed a foundational principle of Nigerian jurisprudence: political parties are not above their own constitutions, and the Electoral Act is not a mere suggestion,” he noted.

Bala argued that judicial intervention is necessary whenever political parties ignore established rules, protecting democratic governance from internal lawlessness.

“Where a party’s constitution prescribes a procedure for succession and leadership, that procedure must be obeyed. Where a political party fails to comply with the rules, procedures and constitutional provisions laid down for its own governance, the court is duty-bound to intervene to safeguard democracy, uphold the rule of law and prevent anarchy,” he said.

The ruling delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the Senator David Mark-led executive body and invalidated all acts executed by the committee, including the presidential primary that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The court also set aside the appointment of former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, sacked other national officers, voided all 2027 candidate nominations, and directed INEC not to recognize decisions from the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.

The lawsuit was instituted by Bala, the former Deputy National Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, who challenged the takeover of party leadership by Mark and Aregbesola following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu.

Bala contended that as the sitting Deputy National Chairman for the North-East zone, he was constitutionally next in line to assume interim leadership, rendering the appointment of the caretaker committee illegal under the ADC constitution and Electoral Act.

The suit joined the ADC, INEC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Ralph Nwosu as first to fifth defendants, respectively, with the substantive judgment coming after the Supreme Court previously dismissed interlocutory appeals and ordered the trial court to determine the core merits of the case.

Reflecting on the wider impact of the ruling, Bala asserted that the verdict restores public faith in the judicial process by proving that courts can adjudicate sensitive political matters without succumbing to external pressure or high-profile personalities.

“It restores public confidence that a judge can still decide on the law and the facts alone, uninfluenced by political pressure, media commentary or the weight of personalities involved in the suit. It affirms that leadership must emerge through lawful process, not through imposition, and that aggrieved members have a legitimate right to seek redress in court rather than resort to self-help,” he added.

Bala commended his legal team for their thorough representation and expressed gratitude to his nationwide supporters for their backing throughout the court battle.

“I also wish to place on record my profound commendation to our team of lawyers for their exceptional diligence, intellectual rigour and unwavering commitment to the cause of justice. Their professionalism, perseverance and fidelity to the rule of law were instrumental in ensuring that justice was not only sought, but seen to be done,” he concluded.