A High Court sitting in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, has declined jurisdiction over a leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), effectively halting a case filed by a faction of the party.
Justice A.K. Tukur ruled that the court could not intervene in the internal affairs of a political party, citing provisions of the Electoral Act that bar judicial interference in such matters. The judge held that disputes of this nature must be resolved through the party’s internal mechanisms.
As a result, the suit was struck out for lack of jurisdiction, meaning the court did not examine the merits of the case. All reliefs sought by the plaintiff faction were also dismissed.
The ruling effectively ends the legal challenge brought by the Wamba-led faction against other party members in Katsina State. The court noted that the parties remain free to pursue resolution through internal party processes or other appropriate legal channels.
The decision also overturned an earlier interim order issued by the same court, which had temporarily suspended activities of the ADC in the state pending the determination of the case.
That earlier order had followed an ex parte application filed by the state chairman, Usman Wamba, and had restricted certain party activities and recognition of rival factions. It also involved directives affecting the national leadership of the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The dispute stems from a leadership tussle within the ADC in Katsina State, with competing factions accusing each other of attempting to control the party structure.
