The African Democratic Congress in Adamawa State held its ward, local government, and state congresses on Thursday, April 9, 2026, despite a High Court order suspending the exercise.

Justice Ahmed Isah of High Court No. 6 in Yola had earlier issued an order halting the congresses pending the determination of a suit filed by the state chairman of the party, Yohanna Shehu. The court fixed April 15, 2026, for hearing. Shehu is challenging his alleged exclusion from the planning process, describing the arrangements as undemocratic and lacking due consultation with the recognized state leadership.

The congresses were coordinated by the party’s State Transition Implementation Committee led by Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin. In a statement signed by the committee’s Head of Media and Publicity, Martins Yanatham Dickson, registered members were directed to mobilize across the 226 wards in the state for the congresses. The statement said critical sensitive materials and logistical arrangements were being finalized, and that the exercise was proceeding as scheduled by the National Headquarters.

The legal challenge follows a deepening internal dispute within the Adamawa chapter of the ADC. Shehu contends that the transition committee bypassed proper party structures by planning the congresses without his involvement as state chairman. He told reporters, “How can you plan the congresses of a party without due consultation with the state chairman?” The suit named the Sadiq Dasin-led committee as defendants.

Multiple reports indicate the dispute is linked to factional tensions, with one camp said to be loyal to Senator Aishatu Binani and another allegedly aligned with former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal. Both sides have accused each other of attempting to control party structures ahead of future elections.

The court’s intervention came hours before the congresses were due to start. Justice Isah’s ruling suspended all related activities at the ward, local government, and state levels until the substantive issues are resolved. Despite the order, the Dasin-led committee insisted the congresses would hold and directed members to participate.

Efforts by party elders to reconcile the factions have so far been unsuccessful. The case is expected to continue on April 15, when the court will hear arguments on the legitimacy of the congress planning process and the authority of the transition committee. The outcome is likely to determine the leadership structure of the ADC in Adamawa State going forward.

Source: channels news