Nigerian court invalidates opposition presidential nominee Atiku Abubakar ahead of vote

A Nigerian court on Thursday declared invalid the nomination of Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate for the opposition African Democratic Congress, just two months before the country's general elections. The ruling overturns the current party leadership of David Mark after a legal battle with Nafiu Bala Gombe, invalidating Mr. Abubakar's nomination because it happened while he was at the party's helm. The upcoming presidential vote is scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Reactions And Denials

ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi called the decision a desperate attempt to cripple the opposition and prevent Nigerians from choosing their leaders freely. Mr. Abubakar said the timing of the judgment was no coincidence, coming just a day after he launched his campaign with a rally in Sokoto state. Meanwhile, ruling All Progressives Congress spokesman Daniel Bwala denied any involvement by the governing party in the leadership lawsuit. Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin, the ADC chairman in Adamawa state, noted that the electoral commission has not raised concerns over any candidate's qualification and urged the party to continue campaigning.

Wider Political Impact

The African Democratic Congress plans to appeal the court decision. The ruling comes alongside separate disputes, including claims by the party of rival opposition candidate Peter Obi that hotel cancellations in Abuja disrupted their meetings, an accusation also denied by the ruling party. If Mr. Abubakar remains barred, the election could proceed without a major northern candidate, a sensitive issue in a nation where regional balance is critical. Mr. Abubakar previously placed second in the 2023 presidential election, while Mr. Obi finished third.

Context

Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation, where political contests often feature heavy legal battles over party leadership and candidate eligibility. Election observers have previously warned that excessive pre-election litigation can harm public trust in the democratic process.