On Thursday, the legal dispute surrounding the All Progressives Congress primary for the Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency encountered a procedural shift. The Federal High Court in Minna decided to hold its ruling on an application to modify the plaintiff’s name within the existing lawsuit. Justice Mohammed Aminu Dan-Ige scheduled the official decision for July 16, 2026, following debates between the legal teams.
The litigation, filed by Alhaji Shehu Samaila Auna, aims to challenge the legitimacy of the APC primary that selected Professor Yakubu Mohammed Auna for the 2027 general elections. Other defendants listed in the case include the Independent National Electoral Commission, Shehu Saleh Slow, Safiyanu Yahaya, Emma Alamu, and Sani Doma. The plaintiff argues that the party violated the 2022 Electoral Act by failing to execute a valid primary process.
During the hearing, plaintiff counsel Mohammed Danjuma Abubakar requested permission to change the name listed in the court documents. Defense attorney Philip Adah countered this request, labeling it an unjustified attempt that lacks clear reasoning. Adah requested that the court dismiss the application. Justice Dan-Ige will address the conflict in July. While Adah signaled his confidence that the motion is legally invalid, Abubakar refrained from providing public comments on the matter until the main trial begins.
