Court Ruling Invalidates Atiku’s Candidacy and ADC Leadership

Nafiu Bala Gombe, the factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), praised a recent court ruling that overturned the party’s leadership and Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy for the upcoming elections. The Federal High Court in Abuja made this decision on Thursday, stating that the leadership led by former Senate President David Mark was not in line with the party’s rules.

Bala expressed gratitude to the court for its fair handling of the case, which he described as important for the party and the country. He noted that the judge based the ruling on the law and the party’s constitution rather than political motives. This ruling, he said, emphasizes that political parties must follow their own rules and the laws governing elections.

The court’s decision also invalidated several appointments within the ADC, including the leadership roles of Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. The judge ruled that the way Mark and his team took control of the party violated both the ADC’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

Bala, who previously served as Deputy National Chairman for the North-East, argued that he should have stepped into the leadership role after the resignation of the former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu. He took the matter to court to challenge the legitimacy of Mark’s leadership.

The ruling is seen as a significant step for democracy in Nigeria. Bala believes it shows that the judiciary can handle politically sensitive cases without outside pressure. He hopes this will restore public trust in the legal system.

In his statement, Bala also thanked his legal team for their hard work and dedication throughout the case, as well as his supporters for their loyalty during the legal battle.