The Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu has commenced hearing of a petition challenging the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election held in Yobe State on May 21, 2026. The election produced Alhaji Baba Malam Wali as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election. The petition was filed by Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, one of the aspirants who sought the party’s governorship ticket. The petitioner is challenging the conduct of the primary, alleging irregularities in the process through which Wali emerged as the APC candidate. At the resumed hearing, witnesses called by the petitioner were cross-examined by counsel to the respondents. The presiding judge, Justice Fatima Murtala Amin, emphasised the importance of fair hearing and the role of the judiciary in ensuring justice. Counsel to the petitioner, Mustapa Shaba Ibrahim, SAN, said the plaintiff had so far called nine witnesses, adding that more witnesses would testify as the trial progresses. According to him, the witnesses had given eyewitness accounts of what transpired during the May 21 primary and maintained that the exercise was not conducted in accordance with the APC’s guidelines and procedures. “Our case is that what took place during the primary on May 21 was not in accordance with the guidelines and procedures of the party,” Ibrahim said. He alleged that the witnesses testified that there was no proper election and that procedures outside the party’s electoral guidelines were adopted during the exercise. Ibrahim said the petitioner had a total of 56 witnesses lined up and would continue to present them before the court. The court has adjourned the matter to September 8, 9 and 10 for continuation of the hearing and presentation of additional witnesses. However, counsel to the respondents, Baba Dala, SAN, said the plaintiff had indicated that it had a large number of witnesses but was only able to present nine during the three days allotted for the hearing. “They said they will call 63 witnesses, but they have only been able to bring nine so far. They asked for an adjournment, and the matter has now been adjourned to September 7, 8 and 9 for them to continue with their witnesses,” Dala said. He, however, cautioned against drawing any conclusion on the outcome of the case at this stage, saying the trial was still ongoing. Alhaji Baba Malam Wali was declared the winner of the May 21 APC governorship primary after securing 236,711 votes.
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