Will Atiku Abubakar be on Nigeria's presidential ballot after court ruling?

What the report says

Nigeria’s Federal High Court has removed the leadership of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) and said the party’s nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate is invalid, according to BBC Africa. The decision comes only months before Nigeria’s presidential election, scheduled for 16 January, and adds fresh uncertainty to the opposition’s campaign plans.

The dispute centers on who had the authority to lead the ADC after a wave of prominent politicians joined the party in 2025, following internal divisions in the Peoples Democratic Party. Among them were Abubakar and former Senate president David Mark, who became interim chairman. A former ADC deputy chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, challenged that arrangement in court, arguing the leadership changes were not properly approved through a national convention.

BBC Africa reports that the ADC said it would appeal the ruling, calling it an attempt to weaken the opposition. Abubakar also said the judgment was politically motivated, while insisting his campaign would continue. The electoral commission’s final candidate list has already been issued, and he remains on it for now, with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.

The ruling matters because the ADC has become a key platform for politicians opposing President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress. The case could create uncertainty for many ADC candidates and deepen concerns about internal party disputes being settled in court rather than through party processes.