Court voids APC primary in Gombe and orders fresh contest

The Federal High Court in Gombe has annulled the All Progressives Congress primary that produced J. C. Ali as its candidate for the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency.

Justice Vera Ibrahim ruled that the May 16, 2026 primary was invalid and ordered the APC to conduct a fresh primary within 30 days. The court also barred Ali from participating in the new contest and directed that his certificate of return be withdrawn. The judgment followed a suit by Alfred John, an APC member who challenged Ali’s participation in the primary and his eligibility to seek the party’s nomination.

Justice Ibrahim said Ali’s participation was unlawful and void because the statutory requirements governing the party’s membership register had not been met. According to the judgment, Ali’s name was not included in the APC membership register submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission at least 21 days before the primary, as required by Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026. The judgment said Ali joined the APC 16 days before the primary.

The court also found that the APC and INEC did not produce evidence showing that Ali’s name appeared in the relevant register submitted within the required period. Justice Ibrahim said the issue was not simply an internal dispute about party membership but one involving compliance with statutory requirements. The court relied on recent Supreme Court decisions distinguishing ordinary membership disputes from questions about legally required party-register submissions.

It consequently held that the matter could be examined by the court. John’s lawyer, Ibrahim Aliyu, said the ruling had settled the statutory requirements governing participation in the primary. He confirmed that the APC must hold a fresh contest within 30 days and exclude Ali from it.