The Federal High Court in Gusau has adjourned the suit filed by an All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial aspirant, Abdullahi Shinkafi, challenging the outcome of the party’s Zamfara North Senatorial District primary election to July 28 for the adoption of final written addresses.
Justice Hassan Dikko fixed the new date on Tuesday after ruling on affidavits, counter-affidavits and preliminary objections filed by the parties in the suit.
Shinkafi is challenging the outcome of the APC senatorial primary held on May 19, which produced the incumbent senator representing Zamfara North, Sahabi Ya’u, as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.
The plaintiff alleged that the primary election was marred by irregularities and conducted in violation of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, guidelines and the APC’s electoral procedures.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Bello Galadi, told the court that his client was dissatisfied with the conduct of the primary, alleging that the election results were written by officials who conducted the exercise.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Galadi said the court granted three applications seeking an extension of time to file the plaintiff’s replies to processes filed by INEC and the third defendant, including responses to a preliminary objection.
He, however, noted that a fourth application seeking leave to appeal and a stay of execution was contested and adjourned for hearing.
Galadi expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision to adjourn the matter to July 28 for the adoption of written addresses.
During the proceedings, counsel to the third defendant, J.C. Shaka, urged the court to award a cost of N2 million against the plaintiff for allegedly serving a counter-affidavit on the day of the hearing.
He argued that the application was filed late and should attract sanctions to discourage similar conduct.
Justice Dikko, who presided over the proceedings virtually, declined the request after the court registry confirmed that the counter-affidavit had been filed on Monday, July 20, within the stipulated three-day period.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case to July 28 for the adoption of final written addresses.