A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the emergence of Major General Nuhu Angbazo (rtd) as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Nasarawa State.
The court also directed the party to conduct a fresh governorship primary election in Karu Local Government Area within 14 days of the judgment.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who delivered the judgment, ruled that the primary election that produced Angbazo was inconclusive because party members in Karu Local Government Area were excluded from the exercise.
The judge consequently restrained Angbazo from presenting himself as the ADC governorship candidate for the forthcoming election.
He also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising him as the party’s candidate pending compliance with the court’s directive.
The judgment followed a suit instituted by former Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, who challenged the process through which Angbazo emerged as the party’s flagbearer.
Abdullahi was among the aspirants who participated in the ADC governorship primary alongside Angbazo and Senator Mohammed Onawo, who represents Nasarawa South Senatorial District.
The dispute centred on the conduct of the primary election and the exclusion of results from Karu Local Government Area.
The plaintiff challenged the outcome, arguing that the exercise could not be regarded as conclusive without the participation and votes of party members in the affected local government.
In his ruling, Justice Umar agreed that the omission of Karu Local Government Area affected the validity of the primary election.
The court maintained that excluding members of the party in the area meant that the process had not been completed in accordance with the requirements of a valid primary election.
Consequently, the judge ordered the ADC to return to Karu and conduct another primary election within 14 days.
The directive places the responsibility on the party to organise a fresh exercise in the affected local government and address the issue that formed the basis of the legal challenge.
Justice Umar’s decision also affects the recognition of Angbazo as the party’s candidate.
By restraining both the retired military officer and INEC, the court made it clear that the existing nomination could not continue to enjoy official recognition without compliance with its order.
The ruling represents a setback for Angbazo’s ambition to contest the Nasarawa governorship election under the ADC platform.
It also introduces another stage of uncertainty into the party’s preparations for the 2027 election, as the outcome of the fresh exercise in Karu could have implications for the final selection of its governorship candidate.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the plaintiff, Professor Mubarak Adekilekun, described the decision as a victory for the party.
He explained that the ruling requires the ADC to organise another primary election in Karu Local Government Area rather than proceed with the earlier outcome that excluded the affected area.
According to the lawyer, the court’s decision addresses the issue surrounding the participation of party members in the nomination process and provides an opportunity for the exercise to be concluded.
The judgment is expected to require the ADC leadership to make the necessary arrangements for the fresh primary within the 14-day period stipulated by the court.
The party will also have to ensure that the exercise complies with the court’s directive, particularly regarding the participation of eligible members in Karu Local Government Area.
Abdullahi, who approached the court over the disputed primary, had participated in the same exercise alongside Angbazo and Onawo.
However, the court’s decision specifically focuses on the exclusion of Karu Local Government Area and the need to conduct another primary there.
The ruling does not automatically establish any of the other aspirants as the ADC governorship candidate.
Instead, the party has been directed to complete the affected part of the nomination process within the timeframe given by the court.
