Court Suspends ADC State Congresses in Adamawa Amid Leadership Clash

A High Court sitting in Adamawa State has ordered the suspension of the state congresses of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), deepening the leadership crisis rocking the party in the state.

The congresses were earlier scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 9, 2026. However, the court intervened just hours before the exercise could commence, halting all planned activities across the state.

The order was issued by Justice Ahmed Isah of High Court No. 6. The judge directed that the process be put on hold pending the determination of a suit already before the court. The matter has now been adjourned to April 15 for hearing.

The suit was filed by the state chairman of the party, Yohanna Shehu. He is challenging what he described as his exclusion from the planning and execution of the congresses.

According to him, key decisions were taken without his involvement, despite being the recognised leader of the party in the state.

At the centre of the dispute is a factional structure within the party. A state transition committee, led by Sadiq Dasin, has been coordinating the arrangements for the congresses.

This move has been strongly opposed by Shehu, who insists the committee lacks the authority to oversee such a process.

Sources within the party say the disagreement has created tension among members. Supporters of both camps have been mobilising ahead of the planned congresses before the court stepped in. Some stakeholders fear the crisis could weaken the party’s structure in the state if not quickly resolved.

Efforts to reconcile both factions have reportedly failed in recent weeks. Party elders and stakeholders had attempted to broker peace, but the disagreement over control and legitimacy persisted.

With the matter now before the court, all eyes are on the next hearing date. The outcome is expected to determine the direction of the party’s leadership and internal structure in Adamawa State.