Court nullifies Adamawa APC governorship primary

The candidature of Aishatu Ahmed (Binani) as the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress in Adamawa state was on Friday October 14, nullified by a Federal High Court in Yola, the state capital.

Ruling on the lawsuit filed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Justice Abdulaaziz Anka held that Binani’s candidature was invalid and unlawful.

Asides pointing out that the primary was not compliant with the 2022 Electoral Act, the nation’s constitution, and the party guidelines, the high court judge also said the nomination of Sen. Aishatu Ahmed, popularly known as Binani, was in clear contravention of Section 85 of the Electoral Act because there was “manifest overvoting.”

Justice Anka also refused the plea for a fresh primary, which means that the party has no candidate for the 2023 governorship election in the state.

He said;

“My findings are that there’s non-compliance to the Electoral Act, as well as party guidelines and the constitution because there was manifest overvoting, which has been proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The first defendant (APC) cannot field a candidate for the 2023 general elections; the primary election is invalid, and the court therefore sees the return of Aishatu Ahmed Binani as unlawful. The plea for fresh elections is hereby refused.”