Will Atiku Abubakar be on Nigeria’s presidential ballot after court ruling?

Nigeria's Federal High Court has dismissed the leadership of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) party and declared the nomination of its presidential candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, invalid. Presidential elections are scheduled for January 16, with Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi expected to be the main challengers to President Bola Tinubu.

The dispute stems from factional infighting within the once-powerful PDP, leading several high-profile politicians to join the ADC, including Abubakar and former Senate president David Mark. However, a former ADC official, Nafiu Bala Gombe, argued before the court that Mark should have taken over as interim chairman, as he was elected at a national convention, not appointed by others.

The Federal High Court previously ruled in July that Mark had been chosen in accordance with the law and the party's constitution. Abubakar criticized the latest ruling, stating that it was an attempt to weaken the ADC and frustrate his candidacy. The ADC plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal. The electoral commission has already issued its final list of candidates, with Abubakar on the ticket for the ADC alongside former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.