The Court of Appeal sitting in Yola, Adamawa State, has set aside the judgment of the State High Court which nullified the Local Government and State Congresses of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice O.A. Adegbehingbe upheld the appeal filed by the ADC, its National Working Committee, and the Chairman of the party’s Congress Committee, retired General Ishaya Bauka.

The appellate court affirmed the leadership of Barrister Ibrahim Sadiq as the Chairman of the ADC in Adamawa State, nullifying the earlier decision of the Yola High Court presided over by Justice Ahmed Isa.

Justice Adegbehingbe held that the State High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, describing the dispute as an internal party affair relating to congresses and leadership positions.

According to the court, Section 83(5) of the Electoral Act 2026 limits judicial interference in the internal administration of political parties, stressing that the respondents ought to have approached the Federal High Court instead of the State High Court.

The court consequently invalidated all orders made by the lower court and awarded N20 million costs against Shehu Yohanna and other respondents in favour of the appellants.

The appeal followed an earlier ruling by the Adamawa State High Court which had annulled the ADC congresses over alleged breach of due process after a suit filed by Shehu Yohanna challenging the legality of the exercise.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the appellants, M.J. Efewe , described the verdict as a victory for justice, maintaining that Barrister Sadiq Dasin and his executive remain the lawful leadership of the party in Adamawa State.

Speaking shortly after the judgment, ADC Chairman in the state, Barrister Ibrahim Sadiq Dasin, commended the court for what he described as a fair ruling and called on party members across the 21 local government areas to unite ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

ADVERTISEMENT