The Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto, presided over by Justice Ahmad Gama Mahmud, on Friday adjourned the hearing of a suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state to May 19, 2026.

The lead counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Mathew Burkaa, SAN, told the court that there had been a “hijack of power” by the second and third defendants, who are allegedly claiming to be the Chairman and Secretary of the party’s Sokoto State Chapter.

He said, “That is the crux of the matter before this court. We are challenging that our clients, the plaintiffs, are the rightful Chairman and Secretary of the ADC.”

The counsel moved a motion asking the court to abridge the time within which the defendants can file their defence.

He argued that the request was to ensure the case is heard and concluded before the ADC primary election, scheduled to begin in Sokoto on May 21, 2026.

“The motion is asking for an abridgement of time so that the case can be heard expeditiously and concluded before ADC primaries are held here in Sokoto, so that the issue of leadership will be settled before the primaries are conducted,” he submitted.

The court granted the application, noting that time was of the essence, and adjourned the matter to May 19, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.

Expatiating further, the second counsel for the plaintiffs, Barrister Fidelis Mnyim, said the court had abridged the time for the defendants to file their processes and adjourned the case to May 19, 2026, for the hearing of the entire matter.

According to Mnyim, within the adjournment period, the court expects the defendants to file their defences, adding, “If there are any replies to file, they will also be filed.”