Nafiu Bala Gombe, the factional chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has welcomed a Federal High Court ruling nullifying former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Bala described the judgment as a victory for the rule of law and the ADC constitution, following a prolonged leadership dispute within the opposition party.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, followed a suit filed by Bala challenging the legitimacy of the leadership led by former Senate President David Mark.

Bala had argued that he was constitutionally entitled to assume the position of national chairman following the resignation of the party’s former chairman, Ralph Nwosu.

He challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership, insisting that the process through which the former Senate President and other members assumed control of the party violated its constitution.

In its decision, the court reportedly ruled against the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership and nullified decisions taken under its authority, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.

The judgment also has implications for other candidates nominated by the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to the development, Bala hailed the court’s decision, maintaining that it had vindicated his position on the party’s leadership crisis.

He reportedly called on party members to respect the judgment and uphold the provisions of the ADC constitution.

The ruling represents a significant development in the internal crisis rocking the ADC, which has become a major platform for opposition politicians seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

However, the ADC faction led by Mark has rejected the judgment and indicated plans to challenge it in court.

Atiku has also criticised the ruling, insisting that his political ambition remains intact and that the party would pursue available legal options.

The dispute is expected to continue through the judicial process, with the outcome likely to determine the ADC’s leadership structure and the status of its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.