Katsina ADC: Court nullifies order on leadership dispute

A High Court sitting in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, has vacated its earlier interim order in a leadership dispute involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state. The presiding judge, Justice A.K. Tukur, in a ruling delivered on April 14, 2026,held that the matter bordered on the internal affairs of a political party, over which […]

A High Court sitting in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, has vacated its earlier interim order in a leadership dispute involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state.

The presiding judge, Justice A.K. Tukur, in a ruling delivered on April 14, 2026,held that the matter bordered on the internal affairs of a political party, over which courts lack jurisdiction as provided under Section 83(5) of the Electoral Act. He struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

The case was instituted by Alhaji Musa Usman Wamba, who claimed to be the state chairman of the ADC, against Lawan Batagarawa, Babangida Ibrahim Mahuta, the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Wamba had earlier obtained an ex-parte order restraining the defendants from parading themselves as leaders of the party in Katsina State.

However, upon hearing a motion filed by the defendants’ counsel seeking to vacate the order, the court reviewed its earlier decision.

The judge noted that the law expressly prohibits courts from entertaining suits relating to internal party matters or granting interim orders in such cases.

“In view of this, the ex-parte order granted on April 7, 2026, is hereby vacated and set aside,” the court ruled.

The court further held that the entire suit was incompetent and consequently struck it out.

The ruling effectively restores the status quo within the party pending any political resolution by stakeholders.