On Wednesday, Justice A. K. Tukur of the Katsina State High Court granted an interim injunction stopping all party activities following an ex parte application filed by the state chairman, Usman Wamba.
A High Court in Adamawa State has ordered the suspension of the congresses of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026, intensifying an ongoing leadership crisis rocking the opposition party.
The order was issued by Justice Ahmed Isah of High Court No. 6 in Yola, who directed that the planned party congresses be halted pending the determination of a suit before the court.
Justice Isah subsequently adjourned the matter to April 15, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
The development comes shortly after another High Court in Katsina State issued a similar order suspending all activities of the ADC in the state amid a bitter leadership dispute.
On Wednesday, Justice A. K. Tukur of the Katsina State High Court granted an interim injunction stopping all party activities following an ex parte application filed by the state chairman, Usman Wamba.
The suit lists Lawan Tukur Batagarawa, Babangida Ibrahim Mahuta, the national leadership of the ADC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
In his ruling, Justice Tukur restrained the first and second defendants, their agents and associates from parading themselves as stakeholders of the party in Katsina State or conducting any party activities.
The court further barred the ADC national leadership and INEC from recognising, supervising or participating in any congress organised by the defendants in connection with the Katsina chapter of the party.
Justice Tukur also directed all parties involved in the matter to maintain the status quo, effectively suspending all actions related to the disputed congress pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
However, the court granted permission for court processes to be served on the defendants outside the jurisdiction of the Katsina court, particularly in Abuja, through a courier service acting as a special bailiff.
The legal action stems from an internal leadership dispute within the Katsina chapter of the party, with the plaintiff alleging that the defendants were attempting to usurp his authority as the duly recognised state chairman.
Before the court intervention, the Katsina State faction of the party under the leadership of former Minister of State for Education, Lawal Tukur Batagarawa, had begun preparations for its congresses ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for April 14, 2026.
The parallel court orders in Adamawa and Katsina now threaten to disrupt the ADC’s internal electoral process and preparations for its upcoming national convention.
The case has been adjourned to April 15, 2026, for further hearing.
