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A new legal battle is unfolding within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after governorship aspirant Mukhtar Muhammad and four other aggrieved members asked the Federal High Court to nullify the party’s primary elections in Kano State.

In an Originating Summons filed with the court, the plaintiffs — Shuaib Abubakar Fagge, Mustapha Salisu Musa (Fanandas), Musa Hudu Yusuf, Mukhtar Muhammad, and Mahfuz Yahuza — are challenging the legality of the NDC primaries held on May 28, 2026.

They are also seeking an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any candidate who emerged from the exercise.

The suit alleges widespread violations of the Electoral Act 2026, the NDC constitution, and the party’s guidelines for the 2027 general election.

It questions both the conduct of the primaries and the process for distributing Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to aspirants.

According to court filings, the plaintiffs contend that the party unlawfully delegated the sale and distribution of nomination forms in Kano State to a single individual.

They argue that the arrangement allowed one party member to decide who received forms and participated in the primaries, in breach of the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution, and its election guidelines.

The responsibility for issuing nomination forms, they insist, cannot legally be transferred to an individual or faction within the party.

The plaintiffs further allege that no valid primary election recognised by law was conducted. They claim there was no proper accreditation of delegates or members, no voting, counting, or collation of votes as required under the Electoral Act and the party’s guidelines.

They also alleged they were unlawfully denied nomination forms despite being eligible party members. They say the denial effectively excluded them from the primaries for the governorship, House of Representatives, and Kano State House of Assembly in the Fagge, Tarauni, and Gwale constituencies.

The plaintiffs ask the court to declare that the NDC breached its constitutional and statutory obligations by denying them an equal opportunity to contest and by failing to provide a level playing field for all aspirants.

Among the reliefs sought are orders nullifying the entire primary elections conducted by the NDC in Kano State on 28 May 2026, covering the governorship, House of Representatives, and State Assembly primaries.

They also seek to have the Certificate of Return issued to Aminu Suleiman Goro as the party’s candidate for the Fagge Federal Constituency set aside, and to restrain him from parading himself as the party’s flag bearer pending fresh primaries.

In addition, the plaintiffs seek perpetual injunctions restraining INEC from accepting, recognising, publishing, or acting on the names of candidates produced from the disputed primaries.

They further asked the court to compel the NDC to hold fresh primary elections for the affected constituencies in strict compliance with the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution, and its election guidelines.

The lead plaintiff also seeks a refund of the ₦2 million allegedly paid for his Expression of Interest and Nomination Form, together with ₦200 million in general and exemplary damages for breach of contract and denial of the opportunity to participate in the primaries.

The suit, filed by counsel Moses Ademola Falana of Nayara Legal Consult, is expected to test the legality of the NDC’s primary election process in Kano. If the court grants the reliefs sought, it could significantly affect the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election.

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The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dropped former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, former Ondo State House of Representatives member, Gbenga Elegbeleye, and five other senatorial candidates from the final lists of the party’s candidates forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Also contained in the final lists of dropped and replaced candidates forwarded to the electoral commission are 19 House of Representatives candidates that emerged victorious in the party’s primary elections held in May.

According to the document, the states affected include Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi.

In the correspondence sent to the electoral umpire and signed by both the National Chairman and National Secretary, Nentawe Yilwatda and Ajibola Basiru respectively, the party’s national leadership attributed the changes to the report of the Primary Election Appeal Committee.

Titled “Forwarding of approved list of senatorial and House of Representatives candidates”, the letter read:

“We write to formally forward the attached list of the party’s candidates for the affected senatorial and House of Representatives constituencies arising from the report of the Primary Election Appeal Committee.

“Following the determination of appeals from the recently concluded primary elections, the reports of the Appeal Committee were reviewed and subsequently considered and approved by the NWC of the APC as the party’s final position on the affected constituencies.

“In accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and INEC’s regulations and guidelines, we hereby transmit the enclosed list of the approved candidates for seven senatorial districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies for your records and necessary action. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards,” it read.

The affected senatorial candidates and their replacements include Kogi West, where Senator Sunday Karimi replaced Aro Samuel Bamidele; Abia South Senatorial District, where Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu was replaced by Prince Paul Ikonne; Benue North East Senatorial District, where Gabriel Suswam was replaced by Emmanuel Memga Udende; and Benue North West, where Titus Tartenger Zam replaced Benjamin T. Aber.

Others are Taraba North Senatorial District, where Mohammed Kabir Bello was replaced by Shuibu Isa Lau; Ondo Central, where Taiwo Fasoranti was substituted by Adeniyi Adegbonmire; and Ondo North Senatorial District, where Gbenga Elegbeleye was replaced by Olajide Ipinsagba.

In the House of Representatives list, in Benue, Dickson Tarkighir replaced Ikper Chris Terfa in Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency; Sesoo Ikpagher replaced Livinus Tsar Adzor in Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency; Terser Ugbor substituted Kohol Shedrach Iornem in Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency; Sekav Dzua Iyortyom replaced Gideon Inyom in Buruku Federal Constituency; while Nongo David was replaced by Austin Asema Achado in Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency.

In Taraba, Peter Abel Diah’s name was forwarded to INEC to replace Sanusi Mohammed Galadima in Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna Federal Constituency, while Abubakar Lado Abdullahi substituted Adamu Tanko in Suleja/Tafa/Gurara Federal Constituency, and Adamu Suleiman replaced Adamu Usman in Lavun/Edati/Mokwa Federal Constituency in Niger State.

In Kwara, Raheem Tunji Olawuyi replaced Olasumbo Florence Oyeyemi in Ekiti/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, while Mohammed Mamman substituted Bello Tauheed Abubakar in Edu/Patigi/Moro Federal Constituency.

In Ondo, Donald Ojogo replaced Akingboye Leke in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency; Festus Olarewaju replaced Rasaq Obe in Idanre Federal Constituency; Oluwatimehin Akintomide replaced Kayode Ijalana in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency; Okunjinmi John Odimayo replaced Olumuyiwa Daramola in Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency; Michel Olamidotun Akintomide substituted Abiola Makinde in Ondo West/Ondo East Federal Constituency; while Festus Ayodele Adefiranye replaced Oyerinmade Matthew in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.

In Kaduna, Abia and Ebonyi, the ruling party forwarded the name of Abdulazeez Kaka as replacement for Samaila Abdu Suleiman in Kaduna North Federal Constituency; Samuel Okezie as replacement for Chris Nkwonta in Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency in Abia State; and Ekumankama Joseph Nkama replaced Iduma Igariwey Enwo in Afikpo North/Edda Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State.

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A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Hon. Fyneman Wilson, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the opposition party as a “sole proprietorship” that is “heading nowhere.”

Wilson announced his resignation from the NDC yesterday, alongside his supporters from across Bayelsa State, who joined the APC during a reception at the Golden Tulip, Government House, Onopa.

Speaking at the event, Wilson said his decision to leave the NDC was driven by what he described as the party’s lack of internal democracy and collective leadership, alleging that it had become a “one-man show” with no clear future.

The defection ceremony was attended by key leaders of the Bayelsa APC, including the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr Peter Akpe; former Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, Bayelsa APC State Secretary, Barr. Odoji Japan and other party stakeholders.

Also present was Hon. Living Mitin, member representing Ekeremor Constituency II in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, who joined other APC leaders in formally receiving Wilson and his supporters into the ruling party.

Fyneman’s defection is a significant boost for the APC in Bayelsa State, coming amid ongoing political realignments ahead of future elections.