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‎The Federal High Court sitting in Akure has halted the planned state congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State.
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‎Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke granted an interim injunction restraining the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the congress earlier scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
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‎The order followed an ex parte application filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adedayo Adedeji, on behalf of aggrieved party members led by Lawrence Adebayo and 7,427 others.
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‎The plaintiffs are challenging the validity of the ward and local government congresses conducted on February 18 and 21, 2026, which they claim were not in compliance with party guidelines.
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‎Ruling on the application, Justice Adegoke restrained INEC and the APC from “acknowledging, accepting, recognising or giving effect to the purported ward and local government congresses” and the proposed state congress pending the determination of a motion on notice.
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‎The court further ordered that the APC, its officers and agents should not conduct, hold or conclude any state congress in Ondo State until the legal issues are resolved.
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‎In addition, the judge directed all parties to maintain the “status quo ante bellum” as it existed before the conduct of the disputed congresses.
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‎Justice Adegoke warned that no action should be taken that could prejudice the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
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‎The APC had earlier fixed March 3 for the state congress, stating that the exercise was approved by its National Working Committee in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines.
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‎In a statement signed by the Ondo State Publicity Secretary, Mr Alex Kalejaye, the party invited statutory delegates, critical stakeholders and leaders to participate in the exercise.
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‎“In line with the constitution and guidelines for the conduct of nationwide congresses, and as approved by the National Working Committee of our party, the Ondo State chapter cordially invites statutory delegates, critical stakeholders and party leaders to the State Congress of Ondo State APC,” Kalejaye stated.
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‎However, the court’s ruling has effectively put the process on hold. The matter was adjourned to March 26, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.