ADC crisis deepens as Malami-backed factional chairman in Kebbi detained

By Haruna Aliyu

The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State escalated on Monday after a Magistrate Court in Birnin Kebbi ordered the detention of a factional state chairman, Sufyanu Bala, over alleged contempt of court.

Presiding Magistrate, Abubakar Koko, directed that Bala be remanded in custody pending the hearing of his bail application, scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

The suit, filed by a rival faction within the party, is also seeking an order restraining Bala from parading himself as the ADC State Chairman.

Counsel to the complainant, Barrister Garba Abubakar Shehu, who represented factional chairman Abdulrazaq Abubakar Iko, told the court that the action was necessary to enforce compliance with an earlier directive.

“Our application is rooted in the need to uphold the authority of the court. The defendant has continued to act in defiance of subsisting orders,” Shehu argued.

However, the defence counsel, Barrister Ahmad Abubakar Fingilla, challenged the competence of the case, insisting that the Magistrate’s Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

“This honourable court cannot assume jurisdiction over a matter already before the High Court. The alleged contempt did not originate here, and as such, these proceedings are fundamentally flawed,” Fingilla submitted.

Despite the objection, Magistrate Koko ruled that the matter would proceed and adjourned the case for further hearing.

When contacted, the Malami-backed chairman alleged that other faction is colluding with the state government in order to destablise the structure of ADC in the state.

According to him, “Yes, the magistrate orders my arrest and detention yesterday but after today’s hearing, the case is adjourned till tomorow.

“Under the constitution, the magistrate has no jurisdiction to enetertain the case but the state government is behind the case.

“They don’t want us to be on the ballot, and we will drag it to logical conclusion,” he added.

The ADC in Kebbi State has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership tussle, with parallel factions laying claim to the party’s structure.

The crisis is widely believed to be linked to political alignments ahead of future elections, with Bala reportedly enjoying the backing of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

Party insiders say the dispute has led to parallel congresses, conflicting court orders, and deep divisions among members, raising concerns about the party’s cohesion in the state.

Observers note that the latest court development could further complicate efforts at reconciliation, as both factions appear determined to assert legitimacy through legal means.

The factional ADC chairman,Abdulrazaq Isah Iko told our correspondent via telephone that he sued Bala for contempt of Court because they have a subsisting court order restraining him from parading himself as Kebbi state Chairman of ADC in Kebbi.

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