The Federal High Court in Gombe has nullified the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary that produced Ali Isa JC as the party’s candidate for the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency and ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary within 30 days.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Vera Ibrahim, also barred Ali Isa JC from participating in the fresh primary and ordered the withdrawal of the certificate of return issued to him following the May 16, 2026 primary.
Key Highlights
- Federal High Court in Gombe nullified the APC primary that produced Ali Isa JC.
- The court ordered the APC to conduct a fresh primary within 30 days.
- Ali Isa JC was barred from participating in the fresh primary.
- The court found that his name was not contained in the APC membership register submitted to INEC within the required period.
- The ruling relied on Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026.
- Ali reportedly joined the APC 16 days before the May 16 primary.
- The court ordered the withdrawal of his certificate of return.
- The case was filed by APC member and aspirant Alfred John Atajiri.
Court Cites APC Membership Register
The judgment followed a suit filed by Alfred John Atajiri, an APC member who challenged Ali Isa JC’s eligibility to participate in the party’s primary and the validity of the exercise.
Justice Ibrahim held that Ali’s name was not contained in the APC membership register submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 21 days before the primary, as required under Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026.
Reports of the judgment indicate that Ali joined the APC 16 days before the May 16 primary.
The court found that neither the APC nor INEC produced sufficient evidence establishing that Ali’s name appeared in the membership register submitted within the statutory period.
Fresh APC Primary Ordered Within 30 Days
The court consequently declared Ali’s participation in the May 16 primary invalid, unlawful, null and void.
It ordered the APC to conduct a fresh primary election for the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency within 30 days and specifically barred Ali from participating in the exercise.
The court also directed the withdrawal of the certificate of return issued to Ali following the disputed primary.
The ruling means the APC must select its candidate for the constituency through a fresh primary, subject to any further legal proceedings or orders arising from the case.
Read also:
- INEC Assures Nigerians 2023 Election Results Are Safe After Domain Expiry Scare
- Zulum Begins APC Mobilisation For Tinubu After US, Canada Trip
- Opposition Figures Fault Tinubu Independence Day Address Over Economic Hardship
Alfred John Challenged Ali’s Eligibility
The case was instituted by Alfred John Atajiri, who challenged Ali’s eligibility and the process through which he emerged as the APC candidate.
Ali had won the May 16 APC primary after polling 23,362 votes, according to results announced by the party’s primary election committee. Alfred John scored 2,822 votes, while Saratu Hamman Jauro received 224 votes.
The APC primary committee had previously described the exercise as compliant with the party’s rules and the Electoral Act 2026.
The subsequent court ruling, however, focused on the statutory requirement concerning the party’s membership register submitted to INEC.
Ali Isa JC Had Defected From PDP to APC
Ali Isa JC, who represents the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, had previously been a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reports indicate that he defected to the APC shortly before the party’s primary and subsequently secured its ticket for the 2027 House of Representatives election.
The court’s ruling now leaves the APC without the previously nominated candidate for the constituency and requires the party to conduct another primary.
The development is expected to generate further political activity among aspirants and supporters in Balanga and Billiri as the APC prepares for the fresh exercise. For more updates on this and other stories, follow us on X.
