A State High Court sitting in Yola has nullified the Local Government and State Congresses conducted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, declaring the exercise invalid over breaches of due process.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Isa Ahmed held that the congresses violated Section 84(4) of the Electoral Act as well as Article 18 of the ADC constitution.
The ruling followed a suit filed by the Adamawa State Chairman of the party, Comrade Shehu Yohanna, who challenged the conduct of the congresses for failing to comply with established legal and party procedures.
Justice Ahmed ruled that the defendants failed to adhere to laid-down guidelines and instead relied on what he described as a “self-imposed procedure.”
The court also identified several irregularities, including lack of proper notice of the time for the elections and the use of an inappropriate venue.
In a consequential order, Justice Ahmed nullified all congresses conducted during the pendency of an earlier interim order, stressing that actions taken in defiance of court orders cannot stand.
“The defendants acted in clear violation of the interim order previously granted by this court. Any action taken while that order was in force is hereby declared null and void,” the judge ruled.
Reacting to the judgment, Comrade Shehu Yohanna described the ruling as a victory for the rule of law and internal party democracy.
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