By Haruna Aliyu, Birnin Kebbi
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other parties to maintain the status quo in a legal dispute over the substitution of Abubakar Sadiq Sa’adu Fakai as the party’s candidate for the Zuru/Fakai/Danko Wasagu/Sakaba Federal Constituency in Kebbi State.
The order followed a suit filed by Fakai challenging the decision of the ADC to conduct another primary election aimed at replacing his candidacy with that of Bashar Sulaiman Bajida.
Fakai, who said he emerged as the party’s candidate from an earlier primary election, is challenging the alleged attempt by the ADC to substitute his name with that of Bajida without his formal withdrawal from the race, as required by law.
The suit, filed on August 14, 2026, came up for mention before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
Fakai’s counsel, Ezra Enwere of Savannah Law LP, informed the court that the plaintiff had filed both interim and interlocutory applications seeking orders restraining the ADC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from replacing his name with that of Bajida.
The court, however, held that it was unnecessary to hear all the applications at this stage and instead adjourned the matter for hearing of the substantive suit.
The court fixed September 8, 2026, for hearing and directed that all parties be duly served with the court processes.
It 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 were in before the disputed August 18, 2026, primary election, including retaining Fakai’s name on the INEC portal pending the final 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 subsequently planned and conducted another primary to replace him with Bajida despite the absence of a formal withdrawal of his candidacy.
The legal battle comes amid renewed political activities by the ADC in Kebbi State, including the unveiling of a 600-member campaign council led by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Following Thursday’s 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.
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