Court Halts ADC Congresses in Adamawa, Katsina Amid Leadership Crisis, Adjourns Case To April 15

Yola, Adamawa State– A High Court in Adamawa State has ordered the immediate suspension of the congresses of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026, deepening the leadership crisis rocking the opposition party.

Justice Ahmed Isah of High Court No. 6 in Yola issued the order pending the determination of a suit before the court.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to April 15, 2026, for the continuation of hearing.

The Adamawa ruling comes shortly after another High Court in Katsina State ordered the immediate suspension of all activities of the ADC in the state following an internal leadership dispute.

Justice A. K. Tukur granted the order on Wednesday after considering an ex parte application filed by the state party chairman, Usman Wamba.

Those listed as defendants in the suit include Lawan Tukur Batagarawa, Babangida Ibrahim Mahuta, the national leadership of the ADC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In his ruling, Justice Tukur granted an interim injunction restraining the first and second defendants, their agents, and associates from parading themselves as stakeholders of the party in Katsina State or conducting any political activities in the name of the ADC.

The court also barred the ADC national leadership and INEC from recognising, supervising, or participating in any congress organised by the defendants in relation to the Katsina chapter of the party.

Justice Tukur further directed all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo, effectively suspending all actions connected to the controversial congress pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

However, the court granted permission for the service of court documents on the defendants outside the court’s jurisdiction, particularly in Abuja, through a courier service acting as a special bailiff.

The suit arose from a leadership tussle within the Katsina State chapter of the ADC, with the plaintiff alleging that the defendants were attempting to unlawfully take over his position as the state chairman.

Before the court order was issued, the Katsina chapter 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 court adjourned the case to April 15, 2026, for further hearing as the crisis within the opposition party continues to unfold.