ADC factional chair Bala hails court ruling nullifying Atiku’s candidacy

Punch Nigeria · Chima Azubuike · 2026-11-05 19:53 UTC

A Federal High Court has nullified the presidential candidacy of Atiku Abubakar under the ADC for the 2027 elections, following a party leadership dispute.

The factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Nafiu Bala Gombe, has commended the Federal High Court for what he described as its independent, impartial and courageous handling of the party’s leadership dispute.

Bala, in a statement on Thursday reacting to the judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, involving him, the ADC and four others, praised the trial judge for determining the case based on constitutional and statutory provisions rather than political considerations.

He described the dispute as politically sensitive and nationally significant, saying it raised important issues bordering on party autonomy, internal democracy, constitutional compliance and the regulatory responsibilities of INEC.

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