The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the African Democratic Congress, the Independent National Electoral Commission and other parties involved in a Kebbi State political dispute to maintain the existing position until the court decides the case.
The order was made on Thursday following a case brought by Abubakar Sadiq Sa’adu Fakai over the ADC’s decision to hold another primary election for the Zuru/Fakai/Danko Wasagu/Sakaba Federal Constituency.
Fakai is challenging the party’s move to replace him with Bashar Sulaiman Bajida. He claims he had earlier won the ADC primary and that his name was submitted to INEC as the party’s candidate.
The case, which was filed on August 14, 2026, was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
Fakai is also challenging the reported attempt to remove his name without a formal withdrawal from the contest.
His lawyer, Ezra Enwere of Savannah Law LP, informed the court that the plaintiff had submitted applications seeking temporary orders to prevent the ADC and INEC from replacing Fakai’s name with that of Bajida.
The court did not proceed with the applications at that stage. Instead, it adjourned the matter for the hearing of the main case.
The court fixed September 8, 2026, for the hearing and directed that all parties involved should be properly served with the relevant court documents.
It also instructed the parties to leave the situation as it was before the disputed August 18 primary pending the final decision on the case.
The order means that Fakai’s name is to remain on the INEC portal as the ADC candidate for the federal constituency while the legal dispute continues.
Fakai had told the court that he emerged from an earlier ADC primary and that the party subsequently forwarded his details to INEC.
He alleged that the party later organised another primary election in an attempt to replace him with Bajida, even though he had not officially withdrawn from the race.
The dispute comes as the ADC continues to expand its political activities in Kebbi State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party recently inaugurated a campaign council with more than 600 members as part of its preparations for the elections.
Following the court proceedings, Fakai appealed to his supporters to remain peaceful and respect the law while the case is being decided.
He expressed confidence that the court would resolve the dispute based on the law and the facts presented before it.