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.
The ruling followed a suit filed by the Adamawa State Chairman of the party, Comrade Shehu Yohanna, who challenged the congresses for failing to comply with established legal and party procedures.
Delivering judgment, Justice Isa Ahmed held that the congresses violated Section 84(4) of the Electoral Act as well as Article 18 of the ADC constitution.
He ruled that the defendants failed to follow laid-down guidelines and instead relied on what he described as a self-imposed procedure.
The court identified several irregularities in the conduct of the congresses, including lack of proper notice of the time for the elections and the use of an inappropriate venue.
Justice Ahmed said such lapses undermined the credibility and legality of the exercise.
In a consequential order, the court nullified all congresses conducted during the pendency of an earlier interim order.
The judge emphasised that actions taken in defiance of valid court orders cannot stand under the law.
