ADC Leadership crisis in Sokoto stalls as Court adjourns case to June 4

By Musa Baba Adamu with agency report

The leadership dispute within the Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has suffered another delay as the Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto adjourned hearing of the suit to June 4, 2026.
Presiding judge, Justice Ahmad Gama Mahmud, announced the adjournment on Tuesday to allow all parties sufficient time to respond to pending applications and ensure proper service of court processes.
The court also cited the forthcoming Sallah celebrations as part of the reasons for the postponement, stressing the need to ensure fair hearing and due process.
During proceedings, counsel to the 2nd and 3rd defendants, Abdullahi Ibrahim, requested an adjournment, arguing that some parties had yet to be properly served with relevant court documents. He also disclosed that additional filings had been made, including a motion challenging an earlier ex-parte order granted on May 8, 2026.
Lead counsel for the plaintiffs, Matthew Burkaa, initially opposed the request but later conceded that defendants should be allowed time to respond to pending applications.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court fixed June 4, 2026, for continuation of hearing in the ongoing leadership tussle.
The case forms part of a protracted internal crisis within the ADC in Sokoto State, which has repeatedly returned to court over disputes surrounding the party’s leadership structure.