Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress in Kebbi State took a dramatic turn on Monday, April 20, 2026, after a Magistrate Court in Birnin Kebbi ordered the detention of factional state chairman Sufiyanu Bala on allegations of contempt of court. Presiding Magistrate Abubakar Koko directed that Bala be remanded in custody pending the hearing of his bail application, which was scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
The suit, filed by a rival faction led by Abdulrazaq Abubakar Iko, also seeks a court order restraining Bala from parading himself as the authentic ADC State Chairman. The action, rooted in the need to uphold the authority of the court, accused Bala of continuing to act in defiance of subsisting orders.
The legal battle is the culmination of a prolonged leadership tussle that has seen parallel factions lay claim to the party’s structure in Kebbi State. Bala is widely reported to enjoy the backing of a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, while Iko is recognised by his faction as the legitimate state chairman.
The crisis has led to parallel congresses and conflicting court orders, raising concerns about the party’s cohesion ahead of future elections. A faction of the ADC had earlier rejected a congress conducted by Bala’s group, describing it as illegal and in violation of a subsisting court order.
During the proceedings, counsel to the complainant, Barrister Garba Abubakar Shehu, argued that the detention was necessary to enforce compliance with an earlier directive. “Our application is rooted in the need to uphold the authority of the court. The defendant has continued to act in defiance of subsisting orders,” Shehu submitted.
However, the defence counsel, Barrister Ahmad Abubakar Fingilla, challenged the competence of the case, insisting that the Magistrate’s Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter. “This honourable court cannot assume jurisdiction over a matter already before the High Court. The alleged contempt did not originate here, and as such, these proceedings are fundamentally flawed,” Fingilla argued.
Despite the objection, Magistrate Koko ruled that the matter would proceed and adjourned the case for further hearing.
Speaking after the proceedings, Bala alleged political interference, insisting that the case was being used to destabilise his faction. “Under the constitution, the magistrate has no jurisdiction to entertain the case, but the state government is behind it. They don’t want us to be on the ballot, and we will drag it to logical conclusion,” he said.
The ADC has in recent months emerged as a major opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections, attracting high-profile defectors from both the APC and the PDP. However, the party’s rapid expansion has been accompanied by internal power struggles in several states, with competing factions laying claim to party structures and seeking legitimacy through the courts.
The detention of Sufiyanu Bala marks a significant escalation in the Kebbi crisis, with both sides appearing determined to assert legitimacy through legal means. As the bail hearing proceeds, the fate of the Malami-backed faction hangs in the balance, underscoring the fragile nature of opposition politics in the run-up to 2027.
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