Court Halts APC Congresses in Ondo, Bars INEC Recognition. By Adeyinka Adekalu

Court Halts APC Congresses in Ondo, Bars INEC Recognition

The Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Akure has issued an interim order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognizing or giving effect to the ward and local government congresses conducted by the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State.

The ex parte order was delivered on 2 March 2026 by Justice T. B. Adegoke following an application filed by Lawrence Oladimeji Adebayo and eight other applicants who claim to represent party members excluded from the congress process in the state.

The suit challenges the legality of the APC ward and local government congresses reportedly held on 18 and 21 February 2026, as well as the proposed state congress earlier scheduled for 3 March 2026. The applicants contend that the process violated constitutional provisions, party regulations and electoral guidelines.

Granting the motion, the court restrained INEC from acknowledging, accepting, validating or recognizing the outcomes of the ward and local government congresses conducted in Ondo State.

The court also restrained the APC and its officers from conducting, holding or concluding any state congress in the state pending further hearing.

Both respondents were directed to maintain the status quo existing before the disputed congresses.

The court further ordered that the originating processes and the order of court be served on the respondents without delay.

The matter was adjourned to 26 March 2026 for hearing of the motion on notice.

The ruling introduces fresh uncertainty into party reorganisation efforts in Ondo State and places the disputed congress outcomes in legal suspense pending substantive arguments. For political stakeholders across the state, the decision is expected to shape internal party alignments and influence preparations ahead of future electoral contests.