Kebbi Court Detains Malami-Backed ADC Chairman Over Party Crisis

A leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress in Kebbi State took a new turn on Monday, April 20, 2026, after a Magistrate Court in Birnin Kebbi ordered the detention of Sufyanu Bala, who is recognised by a faction as the state chairman.

The court directed that he be held in custody pending the hearing of his bail request, which was scheduled for the following day.

The case was brought before the court by a rival group within the party seeking to stop Bala from presenting himself as the state chairman. The legal action is also tied to claims that he ignored an earlier court directive related to the ongoing dispute.

During proceedings, the lawyer representing the opposing faction argued that the detention was necessary to ensure respect for the authority of the court, stating that Bala had continued to act contrary to an existing order. On the other hand, Bala’s legal representative challenged the case, arguing that the Magistrate Court did not have the power to hear the matter because a related issue was already before a higher court.

Despite this objection, the presiding magistrate, Abubakar Koko, ruled that the case would continue and fixed another date for further hearing. He declined to stop the process at that stage and ordered that Bala remain in custody until his bail application is considered.

Following the court session, Bala claimed that the case was influenced by political interests, alleging that his faction was being targeted to weaken its position within the party. He also maintained that the court handling the matter lacked the authority to decide on it and insisted that the legal battle would continue.

The crisis within the African Democratic Congress in Kebbi State has lasted for some time, with different groups laying claim to the party’s leadership. Bala is believed to have the backing of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. The dispute has led to separate congresses, conflicting court decisions, and growing division among members, raising concerns about the party’s readiness for future elections.

In recent months, the ADC has gained attention as an alternative political platform ahead of the 2027 elections, attracting members from other major parties. However, its growth has also come with internal struggles in some states, as factions continue to compete for control of party structures through legal actions.