By Stephen Simon
The Federal High Court sitting in Gombe has nullified the All Progressives Congress primary election that produced J.C. Ali as the party’s candidate for the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency of Gombe State.
Justice Vera Ibrahim also ordered the APC to conduct a fresh primary election within 30 days and barred Ali from participating in the new exercise.
The judgment followed a suit filed by an APC member, Alfred John, challenging the validity of Ali’s participation in the primary and his eligibility to contest the party’s nomination.
Justice Ibrahim held that Ali’s participation in the primary was invalid and unlawful, citing non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
The court consequently ordered the withdrawal of the certificate of return issued to Ali following the disputed primary election.
The judgment adds to the growing number of legal disputes over party primaries and candidate selection ahead of elections, with questions surrounding compliance with electoral laws increasingly being taken before the courts.
The APC is now required to organise another primary within the period stipulated by the court, while the judgment is likely to generate further legal and political activity within the constituency.
The judgment also demonstrates how disputes arising from internal party processes can affect the emergence of candidates and potentially alter the political calculations within a constituency.
For the affected party members, the fresh primary will provide another opportunity for the nomination process to be conducted in accordance with the requirements identified by the court.
The development again highlights the importance of strict compliance with electoral legislation during the nomination of candidates by political parties.
It also reinforces the role of the courts in resolving disputes arising from party primaries, particularly where contestants allege breaches of electoral laws or the rules governing the nomination process.
