2027 Politics Watch: From Atiku’s court setback to APC’s divided loyalty

The Federal High Court in Nigeria has dismissed the leadership of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) party and declared the presidential candidacy of its candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, invalid. The ruling has sparked concerns about the opposition's ability to contest the upcoming presidential elections on January 16th, which are expected to pit Abubakar against former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

The dispute arose when former ADC national deputy chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe argued that interim ADC chairman David Mark should have led the party, as he was elected at a national convention, rather than Abubakar. This is not the first time the Federal High Court has ruled on the ADC's leadership; in July, judge Musa Liman upheld Mark's election.

Abubakar, 79, criticized the latest ruling, stating that it was a "calculated attempt to weaken the ADC and frustrate" his candidacy. He insisted that the timing of the judgment was significant, coming just a day after a large turnout in Sokoto to support his campaign. The ADC plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal.

As the electoral commission has already finalized its list of candidates, with Abubakar and Obi both on the ballot, the legal uncertainty surrounding the ADC could potentially impact the opposition's performance in the election.