Sokoto Court Rejects Former ADC Chairman’s Bid to Reclaim Party Leadership

Court decision The Federal High Court in Sokoto dismissed a lawsuit filed in July by former African Democratic Congress (ADC) state chairman Umar Faruk, who sought to regain control of the party in the state.

Judge’s ruling Justice Ahmad Gama ruled that the court had no jurisdiction over the internal affairs of a political party. He also found that the plaintiffs had not first used the ADC’s own dispute‑resolution mechanism before approaching the court, and that they could not demonstrate a violation of fundamental human rights.

Reliefs granted The suit had asked for four reliefs, including the restoration of Faruk as the substantive chairman. The judge resolved all four in favour of the respondents, effectively upholding the current leadership structure.

Legal representation Respondent counsel Suleiman Usman, SAN, welcomed the judgment, describing it as sound and commendable. He noted that the judge remained neutral and that a case requires substantial evidence to succeed.

Wider implications The decision was said to reinforce Nigeria’s democratic system and constitutional jurisprudence, according to the respondents’ lawyer. It also highlighted the importance of internal party mechanisms before seeking judicial intervention.

Context The ADC was founded in 1995 and operates across Nigeria. The lawsuit reflected a dispute over the party’s state structure, which the plaintiffs claimed had been hijacked by new entrants. The court’s dismissal underscores the limits of judicial involvement in party governance.