A Federal High Court in Jalingo, Taraba State, has ruled that Umar Suleiman Madaki is the legitimate African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Jalingo I state constituency election. Justice Mashkur Salisu issued the verdict on Wednesday regarding Suit No. FHC/CS/23/2026, which centered on a primary election dispute.
Madaki filed the lawsuit after claiming he was the rightful winner of the ADC primary, yet was bypassed for the party ticket. He named the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the initially declared candidate, Shamsuddeen Inuwa Muhammad, as defendants.
The court deemed Muhammad’s nomination to be unconstitutional and invalid. Justice Salisu emphasized that only the winner of a legal primary process holds the right to be recognized by the electoral commission. Consequently, the court affirmed Madaki as the legitimate candidate.
The judge ordered INEC to acknowledge Madaki and publish his name as the official nominee. Furthermore, the ADC was directed to submit his name to the commission immediately. Legal counsel for the plaintiff, Milkman Karel, praised the decision, noting that it reinforces the importance of internal party democracy and adherence to the Electoral Act.
