The legal battle over the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election for the Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency took a fresh twist on Thursday as the Federal High Court in Minna reserved ruling on an application seeking to amend the plaintiff’s name in the suit challenging the exercise.
Justice Mohammed Aminu Dan-Ige adjourned the matter until July 16, 2026, after hearing arguments from lawyers representing both parties.

The suit, instituted by Alhaji Shehu Samaila Auna, seeks to invalidate the APC primary that produced Professor Yakubu Mohammed Auna as the party’s candidate for the Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections.

Also joined as defendants in the suit, marked FHC/MN/CS/54/2026, are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Shehu Saleh Slow, Safiyanu Yahaya, Emma Alamu and Sani Doma.

The plaintiff is asking the court to declare the nomination of the APC candidate null and void, contending that the party failed to conduct a valid primary election in line with Sections 84, 86 and 87 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, Mohammed Danjuma Abubakar, sought leave of the court to amend the plaintiff’s name as contained in the originating processes.

The request was strongly opposed by defence counsel, Philip Adah, who argued that the application amounted to an afterthought and failed to explain why the name the plaintiff initially swore to should now be altered.

He urged the court to dismiss the application, describing it as legally untenable.

Following submissions from both sides, Justice Dan-Ige fixed July 16 to deliver a ruling on the application.

Addressing journalists after the hearing, Adah insisted that the application lacked merit.

“You cannot simply seek to change the plaintiff’s name at this stage without giving any cogent reason. We believe the application is incompetent and should be struck out,” he said.

However, counsel to the plaintiff declined to comment on the proceedings.

“It is not yet time for me to speak. I will address the press when it becomes necessary. For now, I have nothing to say because the substantive hearing has not commenced,” Abubakar stated.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Jigawa State, Senator Sabo Nakudu, has rejected calls for his replacement over allegations of an ICPC indictment, describing the petition against him as a calculated attempt to create needless controversy.

A statement signed by his campaign spokesperson, Mati Ali, Nakudu said, “We categorically, unequivocally and unreservedly reject the petition in its entirety. Its contents are false, malicious, defamatory and deliberately crafted to tarnish the impeccable reputation, credibility and political standing of the Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State, Senator Sabo Mohammed Nakudu.”

Senator Nakudu said the latest campaign of calumny bore all the hallmarks of a desperate political conspiracy orchestrated by disgruntled elements who remained uncomfortable with the widespread acceptance and growing momentum of the Sabo Mohammed Nakudu/Mallam Aminu Ibrahim Ringim governorship ticket across Jigawa State.

He said, “Their desperation is further fuelled by the unmistakable reality that the ADC has emerged as the most formidable political alternative ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

“We are not oblivious to the identities of those behind this coordinated smear campaign. They include disgruntled political actors within and outside our party who never reconciled themselves with the outcome of the party’s democratic processes and have chosen to collaborate with vested interests in the ruling establishment to undermine the collective aspirations of the people of Jigawa State.”

He added that their mission was simple: to distract the candidate, weaken the ADC and halt the momentum of a movement that, according to him, has continued to inspire hope across the state.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Sabo Mohammed Nakudu has never been convicted of, nor found culpable for, any act of corruption or misconduct as maliciously insinuated by the petitioners. The allegations they seek to recycle are old political narratives that have repeatedly surfaced during election seasons without resulting in any lawful conviction against him,” he said.

The National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has formally unveiled Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

The National chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, disclosed the this via X when he stated that “the party formally received the presidential nomination forms of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, ahead of the 2027 general election” on Friday .

Yilwatda described the development as a defining moment that reaffirmed the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.

The development comes amid months of speculation that President Tinubu might replace Shettima with a northern Christian as his vice-presidential candidate ahead of the election.

“Today marked another significant milestone in the journey of our great party as I formally received the presidential nomination forms of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, ahead of the 2027 general election. It was a defining moment that reaffirmed our collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.

“The nomination forms were presented on behalf of President Tinubu by his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Hon. Ibrahim Masari, during a well-attended ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja. The presentation underscored the confidence of our party in the leadership of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima as they prepare to seek a renewed mandate from the Nigerian people.

“The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, alongside Governors Mai Mala Buni, Nasir Idris, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Uba Sani, Babagana Umara Zulum, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.

“The atmosphere was one of unity, confidence and shared purpose. As we move towards 2027, the All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the APC chairman wrote.