By Abigail David

The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of David Mark as National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing a suit challenging the party’s current leadership.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Musa Liman upheld the preliminary objections filed by the ADC, its former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola.

The court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, holding that the dispute concerned the internal affairs of a political party and was therefore non-justiciable. It also found that the plaintiff, House of Representatives member Leke Abejide, lacked the legal standing to institute the case and failed to exhaust the ADC’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the court.

Justice Liman further held that the emergence of David Mark and Aregbesola complied with the ADC Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026, affirming the validity of the party’s leadership transition. The court awarded ₦2 million in costs against Abejide in favour of each defendant and ordered the plaintiff’s counsel to pay an additional ₦10 million pursuant to the Electoral Act.

Reacting to the judgment, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the ruling as a victory for constitutional democracy and the rule of law. In a statement issued by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku commended the court for refusing what he described as attempts to use the judiciary for partisan political purposes.

He maintained that the David Mark-led National Working Committee emerged through a lawful and transparent process and reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing the presidency in the 2027 general election under the ADC-led opposition coalition.

David Mark also welcomed the judgment, describing it as a victory for democracy, constitutionalism and the independence of political parties. He said the ruling reinforced the legitimacy of the party’s leadership and pledged that the ADC would continue to provide credible opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The legal challenge stemmed from political realignments following the ADC’s adoption as a coalition platform by opposition figures preparing for the 2027 general election.

By Abigail David

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that nine registered political parties have collected access codes to upload the particulars of their candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

INEC National Commissioner for Voter Education and Publicity, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, stating that the parties completed the process as of the close of business on Monday.

The political parties are Accord, Action Alliance, African Democratic Congress, All Progressives Congress, Labour Party, National Democratic Congress, National Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party and Social Democratic Party.

Haruna explained that political parties are required to request the access codes from the commission, while individuals collecting them must present an authorisation letter from their party leadership.

He urged parties to comply strictly with INEC’s candidate nomination guidelines, noting that party officials had already been trained on the nomination process.

The commissioner also advised parties not to delay submissions until the deadline, warning that technical challenges arising from last-minute uploads would be their responsibility despite the commission extending submission deadlines to midnight on the closing date.

According to the election timetable, political parties are to submit nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly candidates between June 27 and July 11 through INEC’s online nomination portal. Submission of governorship and State Assembly candidates is scheduled for July 18 to August 8.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally presented Dr. Nafiu Sankara with his Certificate of Return, confirming his candidacy for the Kano Central Senatorial District in the 2027 General Elections. The presentation marks a defining moment in his political career and sets the stage for what many observers believe will be a highly competitive race in the region.The ceremony was attended by party leaders, delegates, community representatives, and supporters who gathered to witness the official endorsement. The Certificate of Return is not only a symbol of Dr. Sankara’s victory in the party primaries but also a mandate to represent the aspirations of the people of Kano Central under the PDP banner.In his acceptance speech, Dr. Sankara expressed deep gratitude to Almighty Allah for guiding him through the process. He extended appreciation to the PDP leadership, delegates, and supporters who entrusted him with the responsibility of carrying the party’s flag. He emphasized that his candidacy is rooted in humility, responsibility, and a vision to deliver purposeful representation that addresses the needs of the people.Dr. Sankara pledged to focus on youth empowerment, sustainable development, and unity across the constituency. He highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for young people, strengthening education, and promoting economic initiatives that will uplift communities. He also stressed the need for inclusive governance, assuring constituents that their voices will be heard and their concerns addressed.“The journey toward a better Kano Central continues by the grace of Allah,” he said, promising to uphold the values of accountability and service. He noted that his campaign will be centered on building trust, fostering progress, and ensuring that the people of Kano Central benefit from effective representation in the Senate.The event was widely regarded as a demonstration of the PDP’s organizational strength and its readiness to contest vigorously in Kano Central. Party officials praised Dr. Sankara’s emergence, describing him as a candidate with the vision and energy to bring meaningful change. Community leaders also expressed optimism that his candidacy would inspire greater political participation, especially among the youth.As the 2027 elections draw closer, Dr. Sankara’s Certificate of Return signals the beginning of an important chapter in Kano’s political landscape. His candidacy is expected to galvanize support across diverse groups, reinforcing the PDP’s commitment to democratic representation and development in the region.