The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other parties involved in a candidate dispute in Kebbi State to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The case concerns the ADC’s candidate for the Zuru/Fakai/Danko Wasagu/Sakaba Federal Constituency, with Abubakar Sadiq Sa’adu Fakai challenging the party’s decision to hold another primary election that produced Bashar Sulaiman Bajida.
Fakai claims he emerged as the party’s candidate at an earlier primary election and is contesting what he described as an attempt to substitute his name without a formal withdrawal of his candidacy.
The suit, filed on August 14, 2026, came 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 to prevent the ADC and INEC from replacing Fakai’s name with that of Bajida.
The court, however, ruled that it was not necessary to hear the applications at that stage and instead adjourned the matter for the hearing of the substantive suit.
The case was subsequently fixed for September 8, 2026, with the court directing that all parties be properly served with the relevant court processes.
As part of its directive, the court ordered the parties to maintain the status quo until the substantive matter is determined.
The order effectively requires the parties to remain in the position they occupied before the disputed August 18 primary election. This includes retaining Fakai’s name on the INEC portal pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
Fakai had told the court that after emerging from the earlier ADC primary as the party’s candidate, his name was submitted to INEC for the federal constituency.
He alleged that the party subsequently organised another primary election aimed at replacing him with Bajida, despite the fact that he had not formally withdrawn from the contest.
The legal dispute comes amid increased political activity by the ADC in Kebbi State, including the recent inauguration of a campaign council comprising more than 600 members.
Following the court’s directive, Fakai appealed to his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while the case proceeds.
He also expressed confidence that the court would ultimately determine the dispute in accordance with the law.
The development adds another layer to the growing political activity surrounding the 2027 general elections, with the outcome of the case expected to determine who ultimately represents the ADC in the Zuru/Fakai/Danko Wasagu/Sakaba Federal Constituency.
