A Federal High Court in Jalingo, Taraba State, has granted an order for substituted service on Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a legal challenge over the party’s recent chairmanship primary election. The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, comes after repeated attempts to serve court documents on Bawa failed, with his counsel claiming he had evaded service. The case was filed by Alhaji Abdulhadi Lau, one of the aspirants who contested the primary, who alleges that the election was marred by irregularities and did not ensure fair competition among candidates.
Lau’s legal team argues that the conduct of the primary election violated party procedures and denied him a fair chance to contest. The plaintiff’s counsel, Pius D. Pius, explained that the court initially scheduled the matter for hearing but had to adjourn due to the inability to serve the defendant. He stated that the application for substituted service was granted, allowing the court processes to be pasted at the APC secretariat in Jalingo as an alternative method of notification.
The substituted service order is a legal mechanism used when direct service of court documents on a defendant proves impossible or is deliberately avoided. In this case, the court’s decision ensures that the legal process continues without further delay, as all parties must be formally notified to participate in the proceedings. Pius emphasized that the plaintiff had made multiple efforts to personally serve Bawa, but those attempts were unsuccessful.
The court has adjourned the case to June 8, 2026, for further hearings, giving both parties time to prepare their arguments and evidence. This development marks a significant step in the legal challenge, as it confirms the court’s commitment to upholding due process and ensuring transparency in party elections. The outcome of the case could have broader implications for intra-party elections within the APC in Taraba State and possibly across Nigeria.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about fairness and transparency in political party primaries, especially in states where party leadership is contested. As the legal process moves forward, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the court addresses the allegations of electoral misconduct. The ruling underscores the judiciary’s role in ensuring accountability within political institutions. This case may set a precedent for how future disputes over party primaries are handled in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
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