By Rosemary Ameh, Sokoto
The Federal High Court in Sokoto yesterday adjourned to 19 May, 2026, hearing in a suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the North-West state.
The case in the court, presided over by Justice Ahmad Gama Mahmud, centres on a dispute over the rightful leadership of the party’s Sokoto State chapter.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Mathew Burkaa SAN, told the court that the suit arose from what he described as a “hijack of power” by the second and third defendants, who are allegedly parading themselves as the Chairman and Secretary of the party in the state.
According to him, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that they remain the legitimate Chairman and Secretary of the ADC in Sokoto State.
Burkaa also moved a motion urging the court to abridge the time allowed for the defendants to file their defence, arguing that the matter needed urgent attention ahead of the party’s primary elections scheduled to commence on 21 May, 2026.
He said the request was necessary to ensure that the leadership dispute is resolved before the primary begins.
Justice Mahmud granted the application for abridgment of time, noting that the matter was time-sensitive, and subsequently adjourned the suit to 19 May for hearing.
Speaking after the proceedings, another counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Fidelis Mnyim, explained that the court had directed the defendants to file their responses before the adjourned date, while any replies from the plaintiffs would also be submitted within the same period.
He expressed confidence that the matter would proceed expeditiously before the conduct of the ADC primary in the state.
