By: Sunday Ameh
A Federal High Court sitting in Akure has granted an interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) from recognising or acting on the outcome of recently conducted ward and local government congresses in Ondo State.
The order was issued on March 2, 2026, by Justice T.B. Adegoke following an ex-parte application filed by aggrieved members of the APC in the state in a Suit No: FHC/AK/CS/25/2026.
The suit was filed by Lawrence Oladimeji Adebayo and eight other applicants, acting on behalf of 7,427 APC members allegedly excluded from the party’s 2026 congresses in Ondo State.
The respondents in the suit are:
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The applicants alleged breaches of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and party guidelines governing political congresses.
After reviewing the affidavit of extreme urgency and submissions by counsel to the applicants, the court granted several interim orders, including:
Restraining INEC from acknowledging, accepting, or validating the ward and local government congresses reportedly conducted by the APC on February 18 and 21, 2026, in Ondo State.
Restraining the APC from holding, proceeding with, or concluding the planned state congress scheduled for March 3, 2026, or any other date pending determination of the case.
Directing both INEC and the APC to maintain the status quo ante bellum (the situation before the disputed congresses) pending hearing of the motion for interlocutory injunction.
The court further ruled that no party should take steps capable of prejudicing the determination of the substantive application before the court.
Starnews NG reports that the interim orders will remain in force pending the hearing and final determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
The case stems from internal disputes within the APC in Ondo State over the conduct and legitimacy of the party’s congresses.
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