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A Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto has adjourned the hearing of a suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the state to May 19, 2026.
The court, presided over by Justice Ahmad Gama Mahmud, fixed the date on Friday after hearing an application seeking accelerated hearing of the matter due to the urgency of the party’s internal election timetable.
The suit, filed by Umar Faruk and three others, is challenging the leadership structure of the ADC in Sokoto State and seeking to determine the rightful executives of the party.
Lead counsel to the plaintiffs, Mathew Burkaa, SAN, told the court that the dispute centres on the control of the party’s state chapter, particularly the positions of chairman and secretary.
According to him, the plaintiffs are contesting the claims of the defendants, who currently occupy the said positions, insisting that they remain the legitimate leaders of the party in the state.
“That is the crux of the matter before this court,” Burkaa said, maintaining that his clients were duly elected and recognised as the authentic state leadership of the ADC in Sokoto.
He also told the court that the plaintiffs sought an abridgement of time to ensure the matter is resolved before the party’s primary election scheduled for May 21, 2026.
“The motion is asking for an abridgement of time so that the case can be heard expeditiously and concluded before ADC primaries are held here in Sokoto,” he submitted.
Justice Mahmud granted the application, noting the urgency of the case in relation to the party’s electoral timetable, and ordered that the matter proceed on an accelerated basis.
The court also directed the defendants to file their responses within a shortened timeframe ahead of the next adjourned date.
Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the plaintiffs, Fidelis Mnyim, said the court had set clear timelines for filing processes by both parties to ensure an expedited hearing.
He added that all necessary responses are expected to be filed before the next hearing date.
The case was adjourned to May 19, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Court sets may 19 for hearing of Sokoto ADC leadership dispute
