LAWAN, APC CHALLENGE COURT BID TO CANCEL YOBE NORTH PRIMARY

Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the All Progressives Congress have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit seeking to invalidate the party’s May 18, 2026 primary election for the Yobe North Senatorial District. The primary produced Lawan as the APC candidate for the 2027 National Assembly election, but an aggrieved aspirant, Hassan Kafayos, has approached the court challenging the process.

Lawan and the APC filed separate preliminary objections, arguing that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case. They urged Justice Salim Ibrahim to reject the suit, while APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, also challenged Kafayos’ legal standing to bring the action. The defendants’ position is that the claimant was disqualified by the party’s Screening Committee and therefore did not participate in the senatorial primary.

Yilwatda, through a counter-affidavit filed on behalf of the party, maintained that the APC properly constituted its Screening Committee and Primary Election Committee for the exercise. He also disputed evidence presented by Kafayos, describing some of his claims as vague and unsupported. In particular, he said a video allegedly relied upon by the claimant was neither exhibited nor attached to the affidavit supporting the suit.

The legal battle stems from Kafayos’ suit filed against the APC, Yilwatda, Lawan and the Independent National Electoral Commission. He is asking the court to declare the May 18 primary invalid and stop the APC from forwarding Lawan’s name to INEC as its candidate. He is also seeking an order for a fresh primary or recognition as the party’s candidate, as well as N50 million in aggravated and exemplary damages over his alleged exclusion from the contest.

The defendants, however, have maintained that the suit should be dismissed, with arguments also raised over the constitutional time limit for bringing pre-election matters. The court has adjourned the matter until September 18 for further hearing. The outcome could determine whether Lawan’s return bid for Yobe North proceeds without further legal challenge ahead of the 2027 general election.