A High Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State, has issued an order restraining the African Democratic Congress from conducting its congresses in the state.
The ruling was delivered by Ahmed Isa following a suit filed by the party’s state chairman, Shehu Yohanna, along with three other applicants.
The plaintiffs are challenging the planned congresses, naming the chairman of the congress committee, Ishaya Bauka, three others, and the party as defendants in the matter.
In its decision, the court directed all parties involved to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Despite the court’s directive, the congress committee maintained that activities leading up to the party’s national convention are continuing as planned.
The committee stated that it is unaware of any legal action halting the congress process.
Through his counsel, Joshua Onoja, Yohanna is asking the court to intervene, citing alleged violations of party guidelines and a lack of fairness in the conduct of the congress.
Following the application, the court granted an interim order reinforcing that all parties must maintain the status quo until the matter is fully resolved.
The case has been adjourned to April 15, 2026, for further hearing.
Reacting to the development, the congress committee reiterated that it has no knowledge of any court ruling stopping its activities, insisting that preparations for the national convention remain on track.
The crisis comes as the party continues to grapple with internal leadership disputes, leaving it without a nationally recognised leadership structure.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had earlier announced that it would no longer accept correspondence from either the faction led by David Mark or that of Nafiu Bala, following its interpretation of a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12.
In a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu, the commission said it would not engage with either faction or monitor any meetings, congresses, or conventions organised by them until the matter before the Federal High Court is resolved.
INEC also announced plans to remove the name of David Mark from its official portal.
Bala, who previously served as vice chairman of the party before the emergence of the Mark-led caretaker committee, had approached the court to challenge the legitimacy of the current leadership.
Both factions have since held separate demonstrations, each laying claim to the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On Thursday, the Mark-led faction also approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to compel INEC to reverse its decision to alter the party’s leadership records.
In a motion filed before Emeka Nwite, the group requested an order of mandatory injunction to set aside INEC’s decision to remove members of its National Working Committee from the commission’s records, as well as its refusal to monitor the party’s congresses and convention.
The applicants further urged the court to direct INEC to restore and maintain the names of all National Working Committee members on its portal pending the final determination of the case.
What you should know
A High Court in Adamawa State has restrained the African Democratic Congress from holding congresses, intensifying the party’s leadership crisis.
The order followed a suit filed by the state chairman, who challenged the process as unfair. Despite the ruling, the party’s congress committee insists activities are ongoing.
Meanwhile, INEC has withdrawn recognition from both major factions within the ADC and suspended engagement with the party pending court decisions.
The dispute has led to multiple legal battles and protests, raising concerns about the party’s stability ahead of the 2027 elections and its ability to function effectively.
