BY AHMED AKANBI
Former Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, and the other All Progressives Congress (APC) have challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja to hear a suit seeking to nullify the May 18, 2026 Yobe North senatorial primary.
The suit was filed by an APC aspirant, Hassan Kafayos, who is contesting the process that produced Lawan as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.
In separate preliminary objections, Lawan and the APC urged the court to dismiss the case.
Lawan’s counsel, Shaibu Aruwa, SAN, argued that the case ought to have been filed in Damaturu where the alleged cause of action arose, not in Abuja.
He further argued that Kafayos lacks the locus standi to challenge the primary because he had been disqualified by the party and did not participate in the exercise.
Kafayos, however, insisted he was initially cleared after purchasing and submitting his Expression of Interest form, alleging that on May 18 at the designated venue in Gashua, the election committee told him only Lawan had been cleared.
He claimed that no proper primary was held, that security operatives fired tear gas to disperse his supporters, and that the committee later moved to Lawan’s private residence where about seven persons affirmed the former Senate President as candidate.
Kafayos is praying the court to cancel the primary and order a fresh poll, or alternatively declare him the duly nominated candidate.
He is also seeking N50 million in aggravated and exemplary damages.
The APC, through Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, argued the suit is statute-barred, having been filed outside the 14-day limit for pre-election matters.
The party said Kafayos’ cause of action arose on May 11 when screening results marked him “Not Cleared”, making May 25 the deadline, while the suit was filed on May 29.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, maintained that Kafayos was validly disqualified and cannot challenge an election he did not contest.
Justice Salim Ibrahim has fixed September 18 for hearing.