Federal High Court in Jalingo reserves ruling on Abdulhadi Lau’s bid to void the exercise
The Federal High Court in Jalingo has reserved its ruling in a suit over the Taraba State APC chairmanship primary. The case could shape the party’s leadership in the state, which is already facing a crisis.
Justice Mashkur Salisu took the decision on Wednesday. Lawyers for all sides had earlier adopted their written arguments. The court will tell the parties the judgment date later.
Aspirant Says He Was Shut Out
The plaintiff, Abdulhadi Haruna Lau, wanted to contest the party’s state chairmanship. He is asking the court to nullify the primary. He says he was wrongly stopped from taking part.
Lau’s lawyer, Musa Attah, SAN, argued that his client met all the conditions. He said Lau paid the fees and received a receipt, but was refused the form needed to contest.
“He was denied the form to contest after paying the money,” Attah told the court.
The lawyer also denied claims that Lau failed to pay party dues between 2023 and 2025. He said the payments were made.
Lau further argues that his exclusion breached his constitutional rights and weakened internal democracy in the APC.
APC Says It Is an Internal Matter
The APC’s lawyer, Festus Kayode, SAN, asked the court to throw out the suit. He said the dispute concerns the party’s internal affairs, so the courts should not decide it.
Kayode added that the documents the defendants relied on were properly executed. He said the party has the power to decide who is eligible to contest its elective positions.
Penalty Fee Dispute
Lawyer to the second defendant, John Okezie, also opposed the suit. He said Lau paid only for the aspiration form. According to him, Lau did not pay the penalty fee that the party’s constitution requires.
Okezie said Lau showed no proof of that payment. He also produced no document from the APC National Working Committee confirming that Lau had met the conditions to contest.
What Is at Stake
If the court rules for Lau, the chairmanship primary could be declared invalid. Until the judgment, the future of the exercise and the party’s state leadership remains uncertain.
