A fresh crisis has hit the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, the political stronghold of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as a High Court sitting in Yola nullified the party’s state congresses just six days to a key deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Delivering the judgment, Justice Isah Ahmed declared the congresses “null and void,” citing violations of Section 84(4) of the Electoral Act and Article 18 of the ADC Constitution.
The court faulted party officials for bypassing due process and adopting what it described as “self-imposed procedures,” deepening concerns over internal democracy within the party.
The suit was filed by the party’s Adamawa State chairman, Comrade Shehu Yohanna, who challenged the legality of the congresses on the grounds of constitutional and electoral breaches.
The court upheld his arguments, effectively delivering a major blow to the party’s leadership structure.
Beyond the courtroom ruling, the ADC in Adamawa is reportedly battling a worsening internal crisis. Party insiders claim the structure is collapsing under legal uncertainty, factional disputes, and leadership challenges, with reports suggesting that over 80 percent of members have recently defected.
The situation has triggered a wave of political exits. Former allies of Atiku, including Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani, have reportedly left the party for the emerging Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), while Senator Ishaku Abbo has also defected to the Labour Party, further weakening the ADC’s base in the state.
What remains of the party in Adamawa is increasingly described as fragmented and struggling to maintain relevance amid mounting legal and political setbacks.
Meanwhile, the INEC deadline for political parties to submit updated membership registers and leadership lists now looms large.
Failure to comply could attract serious consequences, including possible exclusion from key electoral processes, as the commission maintains strict enforcement of pre-election requirements.
