2027 ELECTIONS: COURTS NULLIFY ADC, APC CANDIDATES’ NOMINATIONS IN GOMBE, PLATEAU

By NaijaParrot October 10, 2026 

 GOMBE/JOS, NIGERIA — Two Federal High Courts in Gombe and Jos have nullified nomination processes involving candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), ordering fresh primary elections in constituencies ahead of the 2027 general elections. The rulings affect Bashir Gaddafi, who emerged as the ADC candidate for Akko Federal Constituency in Gombe State, and Dachung Musa Bagos, the APC candidate for Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in Plateau State.

GOMBE COURT NULLIFIES ADC CANDIDATE’S 

NOMINATION In Gombe State, Justice Vera Ibrahim nullified the nomination of Bashir Gaddafi as the ADC candidate for Akko Federal Constituency and directed that a fresh primary election be conducted within 21 days. The judge also ordered the immediate withdrawal of Gaddafi’s certificate of return. The case followed a suit filed by Adamu Kashere, who challenged the validity of the primary election that produced Gaddafi as the party’s candidate. Kashere alleged that a valid primary was not conducted across the constituency’s wards. He also questioned Gaddafi’s eligibility, arguing that he participated in the nomination process as a public officer without formally resigning. However, the court held that the plaintiff failed to establish the allegation that Gaddafi remained on the public payroll while pursuing the party’s ticket. The judge also affirmed that Gaddafi was a registered ADC member and eligible to contest the primary. Following the judgment, lawyers representing the parties said they would consult their clients before deciding on possible further legal action. 

 PLATEAU COURT ORDERS FRESH APC PRIMARIES IN 10 WARDS 

 In a separate case in Jos, Plateau State, Justice Dorcas Agishi ordered the APC to conduct fresh primaries in 10 wards within Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency. The court gave the party 30 days to conduct the fresh exercise after finding that valid primaries had not been held in the disputed wards. The suit was filed by Esther Bitrus Danboyi against Bagos, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), challenging the process that produced Bagos as the party’s candidate. Danboyi’s counsel, Ritji Timothy Yilwatda, said the challenge involved alleged non-compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC’s primary election guidelines. He also said his client had complained of being denied a fair hearing after submitting petitions to the party and its primary election appeal committee. The court dismissed the defendants’ preliminary objections and counter-affidavits for lacking merit. It also awarded costs of ₦500,000 against each of the three defendants, totalling ₦1.5 million. The 10 affected wards are Du, Shen, Zawan ‘B’, Fobur ‘A’, Fobur ‘B’, Jarawan Kogi, Mai Juju/Doss, Federe, Shere East and Shere West. 

 IMPLICATIONS FOR THE 2027 ELECTIONS

 The judgments highlight the legal challenges political parties may face when their nomination processes are contested ahead of the 2027 general elections. The fresh primaries ordered by the courts are intended to address the specific irregularities identified in the two cases. The rulings do not, by themselves, establish that every aspect of either party’s nomination process was invalid beyond the matters addressed by the courts. The next steps will depend on the parties’ compliance with the orders and whether any party to either case pursues further legal action. As the election approaches, the cases underline the importance of following electoral laws, party guidelines and due process during candidate selection. 

 NaijaParrot will continue to follow developments in the cases and report any verified updates. 

 Hear It First! Hear It True!