Sokoto ADC Leadership Crisis: Court Orders Accelerated Hearing
The Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto has ordered accelerated hearing in the leadership tussle affecting the African Democratic Congress, ADC in Sokoto State, following a suit instituted by Umar Faruk and three other.
The court, presided over by Ahmad Gamma Mahmud, granted an ex parte application seeking abridgement of time and directed the defendants to file their responses within seven days instead of the usual 30 days.
The ruling clears the way for speedy determination of the matter ahead of the party’s primaries scheduled to hold later this month.
The plaintiffs are challenging the leadership structure of the ADC in Sokoto, insisting they were lawfully elected officials before what they described as an unlawful takeover of the party machinery.
They urged the court to intervene quickly, arguing that allowing the normal legal timeframe could affect the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the proceedings, plaintiffs’ counsel, Matthew Burkaa said the request for accelerated hearing became necessary because of the tight political timetable.
“Ordinarily, the defendants are entitled to 30 days to respond, but considering the urgency of the matter and the approaching primaries, we applied for abridgement of time” he stated. Another lawyer involved in the matter, Fidelis Mnyim was also present in court.
Justice Mahmud subsequently adjourned the case to May19, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Political observers believe the outcome of the case may determine the control of the ADC structure in Sokoto ahead of the 2027 elections, as competing factions continue to battle for legitimacy within the party.
