The Federal High Court in Jalingo, Taraba State, has reserved judgment in a legal challenge seeking to nullify the All Progressives Congress (APC) state chairmanship primary election, following arguments from both parties. The suit, filed by APC aspirant Abdulhadi Haruna Lau, alleges he was unlawfully excluded from participating in the primary despite meeting all requirements and paying the necessary fees. Justice Mashkur Salisu adjourned the case on Wednesday, with a ruling date yet to be announced after hearing submissions from counsel for the plaintiff and defendants.
Lau’s legal team, led by Musa Attah, SAN, argued that the court has jurisdiction to hear the matter and that the exclusion of a qualified candidate violates constitutional rights and party democracy principles. Attah emphasized that Lau had paid the required nomination fees and received a receipt, but was denied the form needed to contest the primary. He stressed that the failure to issue the intention form after payment constituted an unfair denial of participation, undermining the integrity of the party’s internal processes.
In response, Festus Kayode, SAN, representing the APC, urged the court to dismiss the suit, asserting that the matter falls under the party’s internal affairs and should not be subject to judicial interference. Kayode maintained that the documents presented were properly executed and that the party’s decision on aspirant eligibility lies within its constitutional authority. He argued that courts should not intervene in such matters unless there is clear evidence of fraud or violation of fundamental rights.
Similarly, John Okezie, counsel to the second defendant, contended that Lau failed to pay the penalty fee as stipulated in the APC constitution. Okezie stated that the plaintiff could not produce proof of this payment or any supporting documentation from the APC National Working Committee. This, he argued, invalidated Lau’s claim to have fulfilled all procedural requirements for participation.
Lau’s case hinges on the argument that his exclusion from the primary was arbitrary and without valid grounds, despite having completed formalities including payment of fees. His legal team insists that denying qualified members access to party primaries erodes democratic principles within political organizations and weakens public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system. The court’s eventual ruling could set a precedent for how party internal disputes are handled in future elections.
As the matter awaits judgment, stakeholders are watching closely, aware that the outcome may influence how political parties manage aspirant qualifications and transparency in primaries across Nigeria.
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