Katsina Court Stops ADC Congresses, Bars Factions as Leadership Crisis Deepens
A Katsina High Court has suspended all ADC activities in the state, restraining rival factions and halting congresses pending the resolution of a leadership dispute.
KATSINA
The crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified following a High Court order in Katsina State suspending all activities of the party pending the resolution of a leadership dispute.
Justice A. K. Tukur, in a ruling delivered on Tuesday, granted an interim injunction halting political processes within the party across the state. The order followed an ex parte application filed by the state chairman, Usman Wamba, who is contesting attempts by rival figures to assume control of the party structure.
The court directed all parties to maintain the status quo until April 15, 2026, when the substantive suit is scheduled for hearing.
Court Restrains Rival Factions
In its ruling, the court barred Lawan Batagarawa and Babangida Ibrahim Mahuta, along with their associates, from parading themselves as officials of the party or carrying out any activities on its behalf in Katsina State.
The order further restrained the national leadership of the ADC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any congresses or actions initiated by the affected individuals.
Legal observers say the directive is aimed at preventing the emergence of parallel leadership structures and containing the dispute from escalating further.
Congresses Suspended Mid-Process
The ruling has disrupted preparations for the party’s congresses in the state, which had already commenced as part of a nationwide exercise leading to the ADC’s national convention.
The process, scheduled to begin at the polling unit level and progress through ward and local government stages, has now been put on hold indefinitely in Katsina.
Party insiders say the suspension has created uncertainty within the state chapter, with members awaiting clarity on the next steps.
Battle for Control of Party Structure
At the centre of the dispute is a struggle for control of the party’s structure in Katsina, with Wamba alleging that rival actors are attempting to undermine his authority as the recognised chairman.
Sources within the party indicate that the disagreement reflects broader tensions between local leadership and factions aligned with influential figures at the national level.
Analysts note that such conflicts are common in Nigeria’s political environment, where control of state chapters plays a decisive role in determining delegate composition and influence within the party hierarchy.
Implications for Party Stability
The court’s intervention comes at a critical moment for the ADC, as it seeks to consolidate its internal structures ahead of future electoral contests.
Political analysts warn that prolonged legal battles could weaken the party’s cohesion and disrupt its preparations, particularly in politically competitive states like Katsina.
Before the crisis escalated, party leaders had called for unity and dialogue among members. However, the dispute has now shifted to the courts, highlighting challenges in internal conflict resolution.
Attention Turns to April 15 Hearing
With the interim order in place, attention is now focused on the next court sitting, where the substantive issues will be determined.
The outcome of the case is expected to shape the leadership structure of the ADC in Katsina and could have wider implications for the party’s national dynamics.
For now, all party activities in the state remain suspended, as stakeholders await judicial clarification on the legitimacy of competing claims to leadership.