APC Crisis: Court Stops Ondo Congresses, Orders Status Quo

Justice Toyin Adegoke of the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, on Monday restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) from validating or proceeding with recent and upcoming party congresses in the state.

Justice Adegoke specifically barred INEC from acknowledging, accepting, recognising, giving effect to, or in any manner whatsoever validating the purported Ward and Local Government Congresses purportedly conducted by the APC on the 18th and 21st of February 2026 in Ondo State.

The judge also granted an interim order restraining the electoral body from recognising the proposed State Congress of the APC scheduled for March 3, 2026 or any other date it may hold, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.

The suit, marked FHC/AK/CS/25/2026, was filed by nine members of the party for themselves and on behalf of 7,427 allegedly excluded members of the Ondo State Chapter of the APC.

The applicants listed in the suit are Lawrence Adebayo, Tunde Adesunloró, Olanikajù Kazeem, Oladapo Olawale, Egbayelo Ehinmisan, Tomisin Ikuesan, Atanniyí Ayodele, Obanla Samuel, and Oyekan Johnson.

They accused the APC of breaching the 1999 Constitution (as amended), its own constitution and guidelines, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC regulations during ward and local government congresses held on 18 and 21 February 2026.

In the ruling, Justice Adegoke also granted the applicants an order of Interim Injunction restraining the APC from conducting, holding, proceeding with, or concluding any State Congress in Ondo State on March 3, 2026 or any other date pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.”

The court further ordered the two respondents to maintain the status quo ante bellum before the purported Ward and Local Government Congress was held.

Justice Adegoke also ordered all the parties involved in the suit not to act or take further steps that would prejudice the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.”

The court also granted leave to the applicants to serve the Ex parte Order of Interim Injunction, the Motion on Notice, and the Originating Summons on the Respondents.

The matter has been adjourned to March 26, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.