By Jako Keke, July 15, 2026.
The Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo has reserved judgment in two separate suits challenging the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary elections for the Ardo-Kola/Karim-Lamido/Lau and Jalingo/Yorro/Zing federal constituencies.
The presiding judge reserved judgment after counsel to the plaintiffs and defendants adopted their final written addresses, announcing that a date for the delivery of the judgments would be communicated to all parties.
In the suit filed by Hon. Job Julius Saleh, seeking the nullification of the APC primary election for Ardo-Kola, Karim-Lamido and Lau Federal Constituency, counsel to the plaintiff, P.D. Pius, Esq., tendered documentary and electronic evidence, including video clips allegedly showing APC members from the constituency claiming that no primary election was conducted in their respective wards.
The plaintiff also presented what he described as discrepancies in the election result sheets, noting that one document indicated the primary election was held on May 16, 2026, while another reflected May 18, 2026, which he argued raised questions about the credibility of the exercise.
Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC objected to the admissibility and relevance of the evidence, urging the court to discountenance the documents in determining the matter.
Addressing journalists after the proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, P.D. Pius, Esq., said the court admitted the exhibits marked Exhibits B and B1, expressing confidence that the court would grant the reliefs sought by his client.
"We have presented our evidence before the court and are hopeful that justice will be done. We believe the court will arrive at the appropriate conclusion and grant the prayers contained in our suit," he said.
The court also heard a similar suit instituted by Hon. Leah Olusiyi Solomon, who is challenging the APC House of Representatives primary election for Jalingo, Yorro and Zing Federal Constituency.
During the hearing, counsel to the plaintiff similarly tendered evidence aimed at establishing that no valid primary election was conducted in the constituency.
Counsel to the defendants opposed the admissibility of the evidence and urged the court to dismiss the suit for lacking merit.
After hearing submissions from both parties, the trial judge equally reserved judgment, stating that the date for its delivery would be communicated to counsel.
Hon. Leah Olusiyi Solomon is asking the court to nullify the APC primary election for the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency, while Hon. Job Julius Saleh is seeking the cancellation of the party's primary for the Ardo-Kola/Karim-Lamido/Lau Federal Constituency. Both plaintiffs allege that the primaries were not validly conducted in accordance with the law.
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