YOLA – The political landscape of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State has been thrown into turmoil following a landmark ruling by the State High Court. Justice Isa Ahmed, presiding over the Yola division, has officially nullified the local government and state congresses conducted by the party, declaring them void and of no legal effect.
The judgment is the culmination of a protracted legal battle led by the former state chairman, **Shehu Yohanna**, and other stakeholders who challenged the legitimacy of the internal elections.
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A Breach of Law and Order
In a detailed ruling, Justice Isa Ahmed found that the ADC leadership had acted in blatant disregard of both the **Electoral Act 2022** and the party’s own internal constitution. Central to the court’s decision was the finding that the congresses were conducted while a subsisting court order for suspension was in place.
The judge emphasized that the judiciary cannot overlook actions taken in defiance of the law.
> “Any exercise conducted in the shadow of a judicial suspension order cannot be allowed to stand,” the court held. “To do so would be to encourage a culture of impunity within political organizations, which ultimately undermines the democratic process.”
The Plaintiff’s Victory
The suit filed by Shehu Yohanna argued that the congresses were not only unauthorized but also excluded a significant portion of the party’s legitimate members. The plaintiff contended that the processes used to select the “new” leadership lacked transparency and failed to meet the mandatory notice periods and procedural requirements set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Following the ruling, Yohanna’s legal team described the judgment as a “victory for the rule of law” and a necessary step toward sanitizing the party’s internal democracy.
Political Implications for 2027
This nullification comes at a delicate time for the ADC in Adamawa. With the ruling:
Leadership Vacuum: The party is currently without a legally recognized state executive, necessitating a potential takeover by a caretaker committee or the scheduling of fresh congresses under strict INEC supervision.
Member Uncertainty: The judgment may lead to further fractures within the party as members decide whether to remain or seek a new political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Legal Precedent: This case serves as a stern warning to other political parties in Adamawa regarding the necessity of adhering strictly to procedural laws when conducting internal transitions.
Next Steps for the ADC
While the national headquarters of the ADC has yet to issue an official response, legal experts suggest the party has two primary options: appealing the judgment at the Court of Appeal or complying with the ruling by dissolving the voided structures and organizing fresh, inclusive congresses.
For now, the political machinery of the ADC in Adamawa remains at a standstill as the state waits to see how the party will navigate this significant judicial setback.