The Federal High Court in Akure has issued an injunction stopping the All Progressives Congress (APC) from holding its planned state congress in Ondo State, originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke, in an ex parte ruling, restrained both the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the exercise pending the resolution of a substantive suit currently before the court.
The APC had earlier announced that the Ondo State congress would go ahead on March 3, following approval by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
In a statement, the party’s Ondo State Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, invited statutory delegates, key stakeholders, and party leaders to participate, citing adherence to the constitution and nationwide congress guidelines.
The congress was halted after a petition by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adedayo Adedeji, representing aggrieved party members led by Lawrence Adebayo and 7,427 others.
The applicants argued that prior ward and local government congresses conducted on February 18 and 21, 2026, were flawed.
In his ruling, Justice Adegoke granted an interim injunction barring APC and INEC from acknowledging, recognising, or acting on the results of the previous ward and local government congresses or proceeding with the scheduled state congress.
The court also directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, warning against any actions that might prejudice the outcome of the pending suit.
Next Steps
The substantive case has been adjourned for hearing on March 26, 2026, leaving the future of the APC’s Ondo State congress in legal limbo.
The injunction signals a temporary victory for the aggrieved party members, while the party awaits further court directions.
