Bello, APC and INEC ask court to reject challenge to Kogi ticket

Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a case challenging Bello’s nomination for the Kogi Central Senatorial District. The case was brought by Momoh Obaro, who says he received the highest number of lawful votes at the APC primary held on 18 May. He is asking the court to void Bello’s ticket and compel the party to submit his own name to INEC for the 2027 election.

Obaro also alleges that Bello was not screened and cleared to contest. In court papers, he further claims that Bello withdrew from the contest before the primary. Bello has denied those claims.

Through a preliminary objection, his lawyer, Senior Advocate Joseph Daudu, argued that the suit was defective and that the court lacked jurisdiction. Bello also said he was screened, cleared and certified eligible to contest. The former governor said he won with 72,999 votes, while Obaro received 188 and finished a distant third.

He argued that Obaro had not produced the official result sheet issued by the primary committee and denied withdrawing from the election. INEC, in a counter-affidavit sworn by an administrative officer in its litigation department, said it monitored the primary. The commission said Bello secured the highest number of valid votes in an election contested by three aspirants and that the process substantially complied with the Electoral Act, 2026.

At Monday’s hearing, lawyers adopted their filings and made final submissions. Judge Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter until 19 November for a ruling on an application to amend the suit or for judgment.