Political Tension In ADC: Breakaway Group Demands Suspension Of Form Sales

The group insisted that the process should be halted until the Federal High Court in Abuja resolves the ongoing leadership dispute involving the party.

The development follows the indefinite adjournment of the leadership case filed by Bala after the plaintiff requested that the matter be reassigned to another judge.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, May 8, 2026, the Secretary of the ADC Board of Trustees, Rufus Akanmi, said the decision was part of resolutions reached at a BoT meeting held on Thursday.

Akanmi cautioned that anyone who proceeds with the purchase of nomination forms despite the directive does so at their own risk, stressing that the party would not bear responsibility for any consequences.

“All parties concerned are directed to immediately suspend the sale and purchase of such forms pending the final determination of the matter before the Federal High Court,” he said.

“It is expressly stated that anyone who proceeds to purchase the forms does so at their own risk, and the African Democratic Congress shall not be liable for any consequences arising from it.”

The faction also praised the Supreme Court for its April 30, 2026 ruling, describing it as a strong reinforcement of constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

Akanmi further urged members of the coalition within both the party and the Mark-led faction to put aside personal interests and collaborate with the Gombe-led leadership in the interest of unity.

He said such cooperation was necessary to strengthen the party ahead of the general elections and ensure credible candidates emerge at all levels.

He added that the BoT had directed the National Working Committee to set up caretaker committees in states where executive tenures have expired, to maintain stability at the grassroots level.

The faction also ordered the NWC to begin arrangements for a mini national convention to fill vacant positions created by recent resignations within the party leadership.

Meanwhile, the leadership dispute suffered another setback on Friday as Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned the substantive suit indefinitely.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, had previously been delayed due to an interlocutory appeal filed by the Mark-led side, which eventually reached the Supreme Court.

Counsel for the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna, informed the court that the Supreme Court had dismissed the appeal on April 30 for lacking merit and lifted earlier restrictions on the case.

However, he also revealed that a fresh application had been submitted seeking the reassignment of the case to another judge, prompting him to request that proceedings be paused.

The defence team opposed the move, accusing the plaintiff of attempting to delay the accelerated hearing previously ordered by higher courts.

They argued that the application amounted to “forum shopping” and an attempt to frustrate the judicial process.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Nwite ruled that the court could not act on the administrative request to the Chief Judge without hearing from all parties.

He subsequently adjourned the matter indefinitely, stating that the court would await the outcome of the Chief Judge’s decision and other necessary filings before proceeding.