The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the African Democratic Congress (ADC) not to proceed with its planned national convention, deepening the party’s leadership crisis.
According to reports, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order while ruling on a suit filed by seven aggrieved members of the party.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik directed the parties and all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the case.
“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,” the judge held.
She also directed that the defendants be served with hearing notices ahead of the next sitting.
“I further order that the 1st to 5th defendants shall be served hearing notice for the definite hearing,” the court added.
The case was subsequently adjourned to April 23 for hearing.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, was filed by seven party members who said they were acting for themselves and on behalf of all ADC state chairmen and state executive committees.
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 African Democratic Congress was listed as the first defendant, while several national officers of the party were named as additional defendants.
They include Senator David Mark, Senator Patrick Akwashiki, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Justice Abdulmalik also directed that all pending applications in the matter be heard alongside the substantive suit since the processes were filed on affidavit evidence.
The ruling came on the same day the Supreme Court fixed April 22 to hear an appeal arising from the leadership crisis in the party.
A five-member panel of the apex court, headed by Justice Mohammed Garba, ordered the faction led by former Senate President David Mark to file and serve legal processes on all respondents within 24 hours.
The appeal seeks to overturn a Court of Appeal judgment that directed the party to maintain the status quo pending the determination of another suit filed by aggrieved members led by Nafiu-Bala Gombe.
The escalating legal battles have further complicated the leadership tussle within the ADC, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s national structure.