An All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, Leah Olusuyi, has instituted legal action at the Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, challenging the outcome of the party’s primary election held on May 16, 2026.
The disputed exercise produced Sadiq Tafida as the APC candidate for the 2027 general election, but Olusuyi is now asking the court to invalidate the process, alleging that no lawful primary election was conducted.
In court filings submitted through her counsel, P.D. Pius, the plaintiff contends that the exercise that led to Tafida’s emergence did not meet the basic requirements of a valid party primary, thereby calling into question the legitimacy of the nomination.
While the matter is yet to be assigned a hearing date, court documents indicate that the suit was filed within the 14-day statutory window provided under the Electoral Act for pre-election disputes, preserving the applicant’s right to judicial determination of the internal party contest.
The case adds fresh tension to internal dynamics within the All Progressives Congress, which has continued to face post-primary litigation across various constituencies, as aggrieved aspirants frequently resort to the courts to challenge nomination outcomes.
Political observers say the development reflects a recurring feature of Nigeria’s electoral process, where party primaries often become the first battleground in a longer struggle over elective offices rather than the conclusive stage of candidate selection.
The Federal High Court in Jalingo is expected to commence proceedings once the case is formally assigned to a judge for hearing.
