The Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in a suit challenging the emergence of former Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Yobe North Senatorial District.
Justice Salim Ibrahim reserved judgment after counsel to the parties adopted their written processes and presented arguments for and against the suit. The court said the date for delivering judgment would be communicated to the parties 24 hours in advance.
The suit was instituted by Hassan Kafayos, who is asking the court to recognise him as the validly nominated candidate for the senatorial district.
Parties Disagree Over APC Primary
Counsel to the plaintiff, Francis Mgboh, argued that Lawan did not participate in the relevant APC primary election and was therefore not validly nominated as the party’s candidate.
The plaintiff’s counsel also challenged the date and legal basis of the primary, arguing that the process relied on an election conducted under a repealed law.
He urged the court to grant the reliefs sought in the suit and declare Kafayos the validly nominated candidate.
However, counsel to the APC, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, and counsel to Lawan, Shaibu Aruwa, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the action.
They challenged the competence of the suit and argued that it was statute-barred and constituted an abuse of court process. They also raised objections concerning the court’s jurisdiction.
Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission aligned with the arguments seeking dismissal of the case.
Judgment Awaited
The court’s decision will determine the outcome of the claims and objections placed before it. No final judgment had been delivered as of the latest report.
The case highlights the legal significance of party primaries, candidate nomination and compliance with statutory timelines in electoral disputes.
It also illustrates the importance of jurisdiction and limitation periods in election-related litigation, where the law prescribes specific requirements for challenging party nominations.
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