A High Court in the Dutsin-Ma Judicial Division of Katsina State has dismissed a case challenging the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress, ruling that it falls under the internal affairs of a political party and is therefore beyond judicial jurisdiction.

Delivering judgment on April 14, 2026, Justice A.K. Tukur also nullified an earlier interim order granted on April 7, 2026, and struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

The case was instituted by Musa Usman Wamba, who identified himself as the ADC State Chairman in Katsina State, against Lawan Batagarawa, Babangida Mahuta, the ADC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

In his ruling, Justice Tukur stated that disputes arising from intra-party leadership matters are generally outside the jurisdiction of courts, citing relevant provisions of the Electoral Act. As a result, he struck out the suit and set aside all previously issued interim orders.

The judgment reinforces the established legal principle that disagreements over party leadership are internal issues to be resolved through party mechanisms, except in cases where there is a clear breach of law or party constitution.

The development was initially reported via a post by ADC Vanguard on X, the party’s mobilisation platform, which described the ruling as an internal party matter. However, court documents indicate that the dispute was limited to the Katsina State chapter of the ADC and did not directly involve the party’s national leadership.