The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and other parties involved in a dispute over its candidate for the Zuru/Fakai/Danko Wasagu/Sakaba Federal Constituency in Kebbi State to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit.
The order followed a suit filed by Abubakar Sadiq Sa’adu Fakai, who is challenging the party’s decision to conduct another primary election to replace him with Bashar Sulaiman Bajida.
Fakai, who said he emerged as the ADC candidate in an earlier primary, is challenging the alleged attempt to substitute his name without his formal withdrawal from the race.
The suit, filed on August 14, 2026, was mentioned 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 orders restraining the ADC and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from replacing his name with Bajida’s.
The court, however, held that it was unnecessary to hear the applications at that stage and adjourned the matter for hearing of the substantive suit.
It fixed September 8, 2026, for hearing and directed that all parties be duly served with the court processes.
The court also ordered the parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit.
The order effectively requires the parties to remain in the position they occupied before the disputed August 18 primary election, including retaining Fakai’s name on the INEC portal pending the determination of the case.
Fakai had told the court that after emerging as the ADC candidate, his name was submitted to INEC as the party’s candidate for the federal constituency.
He alleged that the party later planned and conducted another primary to replace him with Bajida despite the absence of a formal withdrawal of his candidacy.
The dispute comes amid renewed political activities by the ADC in Kebbi State, including the recent inauguration of a campaign council comprising more than 600 members.
Following the ruling, Fakai urged his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, expressing confidence that the court would determine the matter in accordance with the law.
Court orders ADC, INEC to maintain status quo in Kebbi candidate dispute