BREAKING: Court Stops ADC National Convention Amid Leadership Crisis

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order while ruling on a case filed by seven aggrieved members of the party.

In her decision, the judge directed all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive suit.

“I also order that all parties in this suit shall maintain the status quo ante bellum and shall not take further steps in this matter so as not to render nugatory the proceedings before the Court,” she ruled.

The court also ordered that all defendants be served with hearing notices ahead of the next adjourned date.

“I further order that the 1st to 5th defendants shall be served hearing notice for the definite hearing,” Justice Abdulmalik added.

The matter was adjourned to April 23 for hearing.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, was filed by seven party members who said they were representing themselves as well as state chairmen and members of state executive committees of the ADC.

The plaintiffs include Don Norman Obinna, Johnny Tovie Derek, Obah Ehigiator, Hon. Olona Yinka, Dr. Charles Idowu Omideji, Samuel Pan Gyang, and Obianyo Patrick.

The ADC is listed as the first defendant, alongside several party national officers and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Those named include Senator David Mark, Senator Patrick Akwashiki, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor.

The judge further ruled that all pending applications in the matter would be heard together with the substantive suit, since the filings were based on affidavit evidence.

The ruling came the same day the Supreme Court scheduled April 22 for hearing an appeal linked to the party’s leadership dispute.

A five-member panel of the apex court directed the David Mark-led faction to file and serve all relevant processes within 24 hours.

The appeal seeks to overturn a Court of Appeal decision that ordered the party to maintain the status quo in a related leadership case filed by another faction led by Nafiu-Bala Gombe.

The series of court cases highlights the deepening crisis within the ADC, as rival factions continue to battle for control of the party’s national leadership structure.