On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja scheduled an August 27, 2026, hearing regarding a legal challenge from dissatisfied members of the Benue All Progressives Congress. These plaintiffs contest the reported replacement of candidates who were correctly selected for the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Justice Inyang Ekwo moved the proceedings after the plaintiffs’ attorney, Mohammed Ndarani-Mohammed, SAN, requested additional time to address a preliminary objection concerning the court’s jurisdiction raised by the APC. The judge ordered all legal teams to finalize their filings before the next session, cautioning that any unexplained delays from counsel would lead to penalties.
Matthew Burkaa, SAN, represented the APC, while Oluwole Olukunle attended on behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Initiated by Sesugh Kaaba and fellow claimants, the case—numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026—seeks to stop the APC from overriding primary results. Previously, the court mandated that all parties maintain the existing situation while the case remains active. The claimants are asking the court to force the APC to submit the official names of candidates chosen during party primaries to the electoral commission.
