Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A High Court in Katsina State has ordered that all activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state be suspended immediately, intensifying a leadership dispute that threatens to weaken the party’s organisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. The interim injunction, issued on April 7, 2026, will remain in force until the substantive lawsuit, scheduled for hearing on April 15, 2026, is determined, leaving party operations in limbo in one of Nigeria’s key north-west states.
The court order was granted in response to an ex parte motion filed by Usman Wamba, the ADC’s Katsina State chairman, who challenged rival members within the party for allegedly usurping leadership and parading themselves as legitimate stakeholders. The plaintiffs named several defendants, including individual party members, the party’s national headquarters, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Pending the April 15 hearing, Justice A. K. Tukur directed that all parties maintain the status quo and that no faction should conduct events, congresses, or represent itself as the ADC in the state.
Under the court’s interim order, the defendants are restrained from parading themselves as ADC stakeholders or organising any party affairs in Katsina. In addition, the injunction compels INEC not to recognise or endorse any party congresses or functions connected to the dispute in the state. By preserving the pre-existing organisational structure pending legal determination, the court aims to prevent actions that could prejudice the lawsuit’s outcome.
The Katsina ruling is rooted in a broader and deepening leadership crisis within the ADC that stretches beyond one state, reflecting competing power struggles at both state and national levels. The crisis began in July 2025 when long-time party leader Ralph Nwosu resigned and facilitated a leadership transition that included high-profile political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and Rauf Aregbesola. That transition was intended to reposition the ADC as a stronger opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections, but it sparked fierce internal resistance and legal challenges.
Following Nwosu’s departure, former Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe asserted his constitutional right to succeed him, arguing that internal party provisions required his elevation rather than an externally orchestrated coalition leadership. The situation has since split the party into rival factions, each claiming legitimacy. Both sides have used legal channels to advance their positions, leading to repeated court filings and conflicting interpretations of internal party rules versus legal mandates.
Amid the discord, the Independent National Electoral Commission removed the names of the David Mark-led National Working Committee from its official portal, saying the decision complied with a Court of Appeal order directing all parties involved to maintain the status quo and avoid actions that could unfairly influence ongoing litigation.
The youth wing of the ADC has also entered the fray, issuing an ultimatum to INEC demanding the immediate restoration of what they describe as legitimate leadership within the party or face nationwide protest action. Party youth leaders accused the electoral commission of acting beyond its constitutional remit by effectively interpreting court orders and altering party representation on its portal, a charge that INEC denies, saying it must comply with judicial directives.
In the midst of the legal and political tension, different factions have continued to mobilise supporters and announce organisational moves. A faction led by Dumebi Kachikwu, a former ADC presidential candidate, has announced plans to hold a national convention and appoint interim leaders pending the resolution of internal disputes, rejecting rival coalitions tied to other prominent figures. This move has further fractured the party, highlighting the complex and multi-layered nature of the crisis.
Observers say the Katsina State court’s injunction reflects the Nigerian judiciary’s increasing role in resolving internal party matters when organisational mechanisms fail. Legal experts note that courts can intervene where internal processes have been breached or fundamental rights within party frameworks are alleged to have been violated. But they also caution that prolonged judicial entanglement can weaken a party’s operational capacity, especially when critical electoral timelines are approaching.
Critics warn that if the ADC, which had attracted significant attention following the defection of several senators and high-profile politicians to its ranks earlier in the year, remains embroiled in leadership disputes, its ability to function effectively as an opposition platform may be severely compromised. The party’s challenges come at a time when voters and civil society are watching closely for coherent alternatives to the country’s dominant political groups ahead of the 2027 polls.
Supporters of the Katsina order argue that legal clarity is necessary to ensure that the party presents a unified front and adheres to due process. Yet others express concern that extended legal battles could leave the ADC unable to meet statutory deadlines for candidate nominations and organisational activities required by electoral law. As the April 15 hearing approaches, stakeholders from rival factions, civil society groups, and electoral authorities will be scrutinising developments to assess their implications for internal democracy within the party and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.
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