Court voids Gombe APC Reps primary, bars winner from fresh contest
Tunde Bakare
A Federal High Court in Gombe has nullified the APC primary for the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency and ordered the party to conduct a fresh contest.
The ruling affects the May 16, 2026 primary that produced Ali Isa J.C. as the party’s candidate. The court also barred him from taking part in the rerun.
Justice Vera Ibrahim held that Ali’s name was not in the APC membership register submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission within the period required by law. The reports said the case turned on Section 77 of the Electoral Act, which requires parties to submit membership registers at least 21 days before primaries.
The suit was filed by John Alfred, an aspirant who challenged the primary and Ali’s emergence. Daily Trust reported that the court ordered the withdrawal of Ali’s certificate of return.
The APC was directed to conduct a fresh primary within 30 days.
Sources: Daily Trust, Premium Times
Written by
Tunde Bakare
Political journalist covering Nigerian politics, the National Assembly, and electoral developments. Political Editor at NaijaTrend.
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