COURT VOIDS ADC LEADERSHIP, NULLIFIES ATIKU AND ALL ADC CANDIDATES: OGUN CENTRAL NOW A STRAIGHT FIGHT BETWEEN APC AND NDC

The Egba Integrity Group, a non-partisan citizen observer group in Ogun Central Senatorial District, notes with grave concern the judgment delivered today, Thursday 5th November 2026, by the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025.

*THE JUDGMENT:*

Hon. Justice Peter Lifu, presiding, sacked the Senator David Mark-led Caretaker Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and declared all actions taken by that committee illegal, null and void.

The suit was filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, former Deputy National Chairman (North-East) of ADC, who challenged the emergence of Senator Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary following the resignation of Chief Ralph Nwosu.

The Court held that the 99th NEC meeting of 27th July 2025, which produced the Mark-led leadership, violated the ADC Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026.

*CONSEQUENCE:*

By operation of law, all primaries and nominations conducted by the voided leadership are void, including:

– The presidential nomination of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
– The vice-presidential nomination of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi
– All ADC governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly nominations nationwide

The Court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under Chairman Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, to disregard all candidate lists and decisions submitted by the ousted executive.

ADC has indicated it will appeal to the Court of Appeal. EIG notes that an appeal does not automatically stay execution of a declaratory judgment voiding a party leadership, unless a stay is granted.

*IMPLICATION FOR OGUN CENTRAL:*

In Ogun Central, the ADC senatorial candidate, Mr. Samuel Oluwafemi Abiodun-Oni, stands voided by this judgment.

Combined with the removal of the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, from INEC’s updated list of 31st October 2026, and the legal vulnerability of the PDP senatorial candidate under Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 and Supreme Court judgment SC/CV/495/2026, the Ogun Central senatorial contest is now effectively a straight fight between:

*1. Sen. Shuaibu Afolabi Salisu (APC) – Incumbent*
*2. Mr. George-Taylor Oluwadurotimi (NDC)*

The ADC and PDP structures in Ogun Central are presently without valid, enforceable candidacies for the 2027 general elections.

*EIG POSITION:*

1. We call on INEC to immediately publish a revised list reflecting the judgment of the Federal High Court and to clarify the status of all ADC candidates in Ogun State.

2. We call on ADC and PDP supporters in Ogun Central to remain peaceful and law-abiding while their parties pursue appellate remedies.

3. We call on APC and NDC to campaign on issues – infrastructure, security, youth employment and health – and not on celebration of opponents’ legal misfortunes.

4. We remind all parties of the lesson of today: *A party built on an illegal foundation will be demolished by the court.* Compliance with party constitutions and the Electoral Act is not optional.

EIG remains non-partisan. We are not for APC, PDP, ADC or NDC. We are for Ogun Central, for credible elections, and for the rule of law.

We will deploy observers to all polling units in the six Local Government Areas of Ogun Central – Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Odeda, Ifo, Ewekoro and Obafemi-Owode – to document compliance with the Electoral Act 2026.

Signed:

Egba Integrity Group
Observer Team – Ogun Central
Abeokuta, Ogun State