The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other parties involved in a dispute over the party’s candidate for the Zuru/Fakai/Danko Wasagu/Sakaba Federal Constituency in Kebbi State to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case.
The order followed a suit filed by Abubakar Sadiq Sa’adu Fakai, who is challenging the ADC’s decision to conduct another primary election to replace him with Bashar Sulaiman Bajida.
Fakai, who said he emerged as the party’s candidate in an earlier primary election, is contesting the alleged move to substitute his name without his formal withdrawal from the race.
The suit was filed on August 14, 2026, and came up before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
Fakai’s counsel, Ezra Enwere of Savannah Law LP, told the court that the plaintiff had filed interim and interlocutory applications seeking to prevent the ADC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from replacing his name with that of Bajida.
The court, however, ruled that there was no need to hear the applications at that stage and instead adjourned the matter for the hearing of the substantive suit.
The case was adjourned until September 8, 2026, for hearing, with the court directing that all parties be properly served with the relevant court processes.
The court further ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit.
The order effectively means that the parties are to remain in the position they occupied before the disputed August 18 primary election, including the retention of Fakai’s name on the INEC portal until the case is determined.
Fakai had told the court that after winning the ADC primary, his name was submitted to INEC as the party’s candidate for the federal constituency.
He alleged that the party subsequently organised and conducted another primary election to replace him with Bajida, despite the fact that he had not formally withdrawn his candidacy.
The dispute comes amid increased political activities by the ADC in Kebbi State, including the recent inauguration of a campaign council with more than 600 members.
Following the court’s decision, Fakai appealed to his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, expressing confidence that the matter would ultimately be resolved in accordance with the law.
BACKSTORY:
The dispute arose after Abubakar Sadiq Sa’adu Fakai, who claimed to have won the ADC primary for the Zuru/Fakai/Danko Wasagu/Sakaba Federal Constituency in Kebbi State, challenged the party’s decision to conduct another primary election. Fakai alleged that the ADC attempted to replace his name with Bashar Sulaiman Bajida despite his not formally withdrawing from the race. The matter was taken to the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered the ADC and INEC to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit, with the case adjourned to September 8, 2026.
