Courts Nullify ADC, APC Nominations in Gombe, Plateau, Order Fresh Primaries

Federal High Courts in Gombe and Jos have invalidated the nominations of candidates for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and All Progressives Congress (APC) in two federal constituencies, directing the parties to hold fresh primary elections as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

In Gombe, Justice Vera Ibrahim struck down the nomination of Bashir Gaddafi as the ADC candidate for Akko Federal Constituency. 

The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise a new primary within 21 days and directed the immediate withdrawal of Gaddafi’s certificate of return.

The ruling followed a suit by Adamu Kashere, who argued that no valid primary had taken place across the constituency’s wards. Kashere also challenged Gaddafi’s eligibility, claiming he contested while still serving as a public officer without properly resigning. 

The court rejected the claim that Gaddafi remained on the public payroll but still found the primary process defective. It affirmed, however, that Gaddafi was a registered ADC member and eligible to contest.

Counsel for both sides said they would consult their clients before deciding on any further legal steps.

In a separate judgment in Jos, Plateau State, Justice Dorcas Agishi ordered the APC to conduct fresh primaries in 10 wards of the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency because of irregularities in the nomination exercise. The party was given 30 days to comply. 

The court also awarded costs of N500,000 against each of the three defendants, totalling N1.5 million payable to the plaintiff.

The case was brought by Esther Bitrus Danboyi against Dachung Musa Bagos (the APC candidate), the APC itself, and INEC. 

Her lawyer, Ritji Timothy Yilwatda, said the challenge centred on non-compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and the APC’s own primary guidelines, as well as denial of fair hearing after petitions were submitted. 

The court found that valid primaries had not been held in the disputed wards—Du, Shen, Zawan ‘B’, Fobur ‘A’, Fobur ‘B’, Jarawan Kogi, Mai Juju/Doss, Federe, Shere East, and Shere West and dismissed the defendants’ preliminary objections.

A supporter of the Gombe plaintiff, Ibrahim Lawanti, welcomed the judgment as a victory for due process.