The six zonal leaders of the Nafiu Bala Gombe-led faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, have warned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar against campaigning or presenting himself as the party’s presidential candidate.
They maintained that a Federal High Court judgment still in force invalidated the leadership structure under which his purported candidacy emerged.
The warning was set out in a communiqué issued after a meeting of the party’s six zonal leaders.
At the meeting, the factional leaders unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Nafiu Bala Gombe, whom they identified as the ADC’s authentic and legally recognised leader.
In the communiqué, signed for the zonal leaders by Dr Christopher Okechukwu, Director of Media and Public Affairs, the former Vice-President was urged to stop immediately presenting himself as the party’s presidential flag bearer.
The leaders also advised Atiku to refrain from actions that could undermine judicial authority, challenge Gombe’s leadership, or deepen divisions within the party.
They said their position was based on a Federal High Court judgment delivered on November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu. According to the leaders, the ruling invalidated the leadership associated with Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
Okechukwu stated: “We resolved to issue this formal warning to you, Atiku, to desist forthwith from parading yourself as the presidential candidate of the ADC.
“You are hereby reminded that a court of competent jurisdiction, presided over by Hon. Justice Peter Lifu, delivered judgment on 5th November 2026, invalidating the leadership of Sen. David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola. That judgment remains in force.”
The six zonal leaders further maintained that the court’s decision had significant implications for political activities and decisions made under the invalidated leadership, including the process that allegedly produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
They said that any candidacy arising from a leadership structure invalidated by a competent court could face legal challenges for lacking a lawful basis.
The communiqué stated: “The David Mark- and Rauf Aregbesola-led leadership, which purportedly produced you as the presidential candidate, has been declared invalid by a court of law. This is an incontrovertible legal consequence.
“In law, nothing can be built on nothing and expected to stand. A candidacy arising from an invalidated leadership has no legal foundation, and there is no valid platform on which your purported presidential candidacy can rest.”
The leaders also accused Atiku of continuing to present himself as the ADC’s presidential candidate despite the court ruling, pointing to his public appearances, campaign-related activities and statements made in that capacity.
They argued that “such actions amount to a disregard for the judgment delivered by Justice Lifu,” adding that everyone, regardless of political standing or influence, was required to comply with court decisions.
They warned that allowing people to ignore judicial rulings could erode the courts’ authority, weaken the rule of law and endanger the country’s constitutional order.
Accordingly, the zonal leaders made three key demands of Atiku: to “immediately stop presenting himself as the ADC’s presidential candidate; discontinue campaign activities and public statements made in that capacity; and refrain from actions that could challenge the court’s authority or deepen the party’s internal crisis.”
They further cautioned that failure to meet these demands could lead the party to take legal action against him.
2027: Stop parading yourself as ADC candidate- Nafiu Bala Gombe-led faction tells Atiku