The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has stopped the planned state congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke, in an ex parte ruling, restrained the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the exercise pending the determination of a substantive suit before the court.

The APC had earlier fixed March 3 for its state congress. In a statement signed by the party’s Ondo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Alex Kalejaye, the congress was said to have been approved by the National Working Committee (NWC).

“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 had stated.

However, the exercise was halted following 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.

Ruling on the application, Justice Adegoke granted an interim injunction restraining INEC and the APC from “acknowledging, accepting, recognising or giving effect to the purported ward and local government congresses conducted on February 18 and 21, 2026, and the proposed state congress scheduled for March 3, 2026, or any other date.”

The court further ordered that the APC, its officers and agents should not “conduct, hold, proceed with or conclude any state congress in Ondo State” pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

Justice Adegoke also directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum prior to the ward and local government congresses, cautioning that no action should be taken to prejudice the outcome of the suit.

The court adjourned the matter to March 26, 2026, for hearing of the substantive case. (Arise News)

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