Court adjourns suit challenging APC Magama/Rijau reps’ primary to July 9

A Federal High Court sitting in Minna, Niger State, has adjourned until July 9, 2026, the suit challenging the emergence of Prof. Yakubu Mohammed Auna as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general election.

The suit, filed by Alhaji Shehu Samaila Auna, is seeking the nullification of the primary election, alleging that no valid APC primary was conducted in the constituency before Prof. Auna was declared the party’s candidate.

Also joined as defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Shehu Saleh Slow, Safiyanu Yahaya, Emma Alamu, and Sani Doma.

The plaintiff is asking the court to determine whether the APC complied with the provisions of Sections 84, 86, and 87 of the Electoral Act, 2026, in nominating its candidate, arguing that the party failed to conduct a lawful primary election.

He is further urging the court to declare Prof. Auna’s nomination null and void and to restrain INEC from recognising or accepting him as the APC candidate for the constituency.

When the matter came up, proceedings could not commence because two of the defendants had not been served with hearing notices.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Mohammed Abdullahi, informed the court that efforts to serve the affected defendants had been unsuccessful and requested an adjournment to enable proper service.

Presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Aminu Dan Ige, granted the request, adjourned the case until July 9 for hearing, and directed that the outstanding defendants be served before the next sitting.