Federal High Court dismisses legal challenge to Yobe APC governorship candidate

The Federal High Court located in Damaturu, Yobe State, rejected a legal action initiated by Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, which aimed to invalidate the choice of Alhaji Baba Malam Wali as the All Progressives Congress (APC) nominee for the 2027 gubernatorial race. Justice Fatima Murtala Amin issued the verdict on Monday, November 9, 2026, thereby concluding the judicial dispute over Wali’s designation as the party’s representative for the state.

Maihaja, a participant in the party’s gubernatorial primary conducted on May 21, 2026, had petitioned the judiciary claiming procedural flaws in the selection process. His claims included over-voting and non-compliance with the APC’s electoral guidelines. However, the court rejected these allegations, finding that the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient evidence to support them.

Background

The dispute arose following the APC governorship primary election in Yobe State, which took place on May 21, 2026. Alhaji Baba Malam Wali emerged as the winner of the contest, securing 236,711 votes to obtain the party’s ticket for the upcoming 2027 general election. Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, one of the other candidates who participated in the primary, subsequently filed a suit in the Federal High Court in Damaturu to challenge the outcome.

In his legal submissions, Maihaja argued that the primary process was marred by irregularities, specifically citing instances of over-voting and a failure by the party to adhere to its own electoral guidelines. The case proceeded to trial, where the court examined both procedural and substantive issues raised by the plaintiff.

Why it matters

The court’s decision resolves the immediate legal uncertainty surrounding the APC’s governorship nomination in Yobe State. By dismissing the suit, the judiciary has validated the outcome of the May 21 primary, confirming that Wali’s candidacy remains intact. This outcome is significant for the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election, as it removes a major legal obstacle to the candidate’s registration and campaign activities.

Justice Fatima Murtala Amin’s judgment highlighted that the suit was statute-barred, meaning it was filed outside the legally prescribed timeframe for such challenges. Additionally, the presiding judge observed that the case would have been unsuccessful on substantive grounds, regardless of whether it had been submitted within the appropriate timeframe. The tribunal highlighted significant discrepancies and contradictions in the statements given by Maihaja’s witnesses, characterizing the proof as untrustworthy and inadequate to substantiate the claims of excessive voting. This finding underscores the importance of credible evidence in electoral litigation.

Reacting to the judgment, Shuaibu Abdullahi, the Press Secretary to Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, expressed the candidate’s satisfaction with the outcome. According to Abdullahi, the team commended the court for its careful and thorough consideration of the issues at hand. He remarked that the decision reinforced their trust in the judicial system as the final protector of justice and legal order within Nigeria.

What happens next

With the dismissal of Maihaja’s suit, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali is now the confirmed APC governorship candidate for Yobe State for the 2027 general election. The party can proceed with its electoral strategies and preparations for the next phase of the political cycle. No further legal challenges to this specific aspect of the nomination are indicated in the available reports, allowing the candidate and his team to focus on the upcoming election campaign.