Court Blocks ADC Plan To Replace Kebbi Governorship Candidate

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other parties involved in a legal dispute to maintain the status quo over the party’s candidate for the Zuru/Fakai/Danko Wasagu/Sakaba Federal Constituency in Kebbi State.

According to Ireporter Online, the order followed a suit filed by Abubakar Sadiq Sa’adu Fakai, who is challenging an alleged attempt by the ADC to replace him with Bashar Sulaiman Bajida.

Fakai claimed that he emerged as the party’s candidate at an earlier primary election and that his name was subsequently submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He further maintained that he never withdrew from the race to warrant his replacement.

The suit, filed on August 14, 2026, was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday for mention.

Fakai’s counsel, Ezra Enwere of Savannah Law LP, informed the court that his client had filed interim and interlocutory applications seeking to prevent the ADC and INEC from removing his name and replacing it with Bajida’s.

The court, however, declined to determine the applications at that stage and instead scheduled the substantive matter for hearing on September 8, 2026.

The judge also directed that all parties involved in the case be properly served with the necessary court documents.

Pending the hearing, the court ordered the parties to maintain the status quo as it existed before the disputed August 18 primary election.

The directive means that no further steps should be taken to alter the candidate’s status until the court determines the matter.

Fakai’s name is therefore expected to remain on the INEC portal as the ADC candidate for the federal constituency pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.

Fakai had told the court that after winning the party’s earlier primary, the ADC submitted his name to INEC as its candidate. He alleged that the party subsequently conducted another primary in an attempt to replace him with Bajida, despite his insistence that he had not withdrawn his candidacy.

The legal dispute comes as the ADC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections in Kebbi State.

The party recently inaugurated a 600-member campaign council in the state, with former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, playing a leading role in its campaign activities.

Following the court’s order, Fakai appealed to his supporters to remain peaceful and avoid actions that could threaten public order.

He expressed confidence that the dispute would ultimately be resolved according to the law.