The Federal High Court in Gombe has nullified the emergence of Honourable Ali Isa J.C. as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency and ordered a fresh primary.
The court also barred the former Chief Whip from participating in the new contest and directed the withdrawal of his Certificate of Return.
The ruling followed a legal challenge to the conduct of the party’s primary, which the plaintiff argued was flawed and did not follow due process.
This judgment is another reminder of how poorly Nigerian political parties conduct their internal affairs, often leaving the courts to clean up their mess.
It also raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process ahead of 2027. Parties must learn to respect their own rules and the rule of law, otherwise democracy itself suffers.
The APC must now organise a credible primary that reflects the genuine will of party members
