The Federal High Court in Sokoto has granted accelerated hearing in a suit filed over the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State.
Justice Ahmad Gamma Mahmud gave the order after hearing an ex parte application filed by Umar Faruk and three others, who are challenging the current leadership structure of the party in the state.
The court also ordered the defendants to file their responses within seven days of being served, instead of the usual 30 days allowed under the rules.
The order effectively fast-tracks the hearing of the case, which has now been fixed for May 19, 2026.
The plaintiffs had told the court that allowing the normal 30-day response period could delay the matter and push it too close to the party’s internal election timetable.
They argued that the dispute needed urgent determination because party primaries are expected to be concluded before the end of May 2026 ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The suit centres on control of the ADC structure in Sokoto State.
The plaintiffs claim they were the legitimate leaders of the party before they were allegedly unlawfully removed. They are asking the court to reverse what they described as an illegal takeover and restore the leadership they say was elected through due process.
Speaking with journalists after the sitting, counsel to the plaintiffs, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, said the application for abridgement of time became necessary because of the limited time before the party primaries.
“Ideally, the defendants should have 30 days to respond, but because of time constraints, we applied for abridgement of time,” he said.
Another lawyer in the matter, Fidelis Mnyim, was also present during the proceedings.
Justice Mahmud adjourned the substantive suit to May 19, 2026, when the court is expected to hear the claims challenging the leadership change.
The decision comes amid growing intra-party disputes ahead of the 2027 elections, with courts increasingly being asked to intervene in leadership and nomination-related crises before party primaries.
