A High Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State, has voided the local government and state congresses conducted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing violations of both the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.

Delivering judgment, Justice Isa Ahmed ruled in favour of the plaintiff, Shehu Yohanna, the former state chairman of the party, who challenged the legitimacy of the congresses. Yohanna had alleged that due process was not followed in the conduct of the exercise.

The court held that the organisers acted contrary to Section 84(4) of the Electoral Act as well as Article 18 of the ADC Constitution, noting that the process adopted was inconsistent with established legal and party guidelines.

Justice Ahmed further observed that the congresses were conducted in defiance of a subsisting court order suspending the exercise, stressing that such actions cannot be upheld by the court.

“Actions taken in defiance of court orders cannot stand,” the judge declared.

The ruling is expected to deepen the internal crisis rocking the party in Adamawa State, amid broader leadership challenges at the national level.