JUST IN: AIYEDATIWA FACES FRESH LEGAL CHALLENGES AS APC PRIMARY DISPUTES REACH COURTS

AIYEDATIWA FACES FRESH LEGAL CHALLENGES AS APC PRIMARY DISPUTES REACH COURTS


Fresh legal battles have emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as loyalists of the governors of Benue and Ondo states have instituted separate court actions challenging the outcome of the party's National Assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lawsuits followed the inability of several aspirants reportedly backed by Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia and Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to secure the party's tickets during the recently concluded APC primaries.

In Benue State, the Federal High Court in Abuja directed the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a suit challenging the conduct and outcome of the primaries.

Justice I. E. Ekwo issued the order while presiding over Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026 filed by aggrieved APC aspirants from the state.

The plaintiffs are contesting what they described as attempts by the APC to alter the list of candidates produced from the primaries monitored by INEC. They asked the court to restrain the party from substituting candidates allegedly validly nominated through a June 29, 2026 correspondence or any subsequent communication to INEC until the substantive suit is determined.

The aspirants also urged the court to compel the APC to submit to INEC the names of candidates they claimed legitimately emerged from the primaries. Although the court declined to grant the ex parte application at the initial hearing, Justice Ekwo ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the case.

In Ondo State, party sources alleged that loyalists of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa who were unsuccessful in the primaries have also filed legal actions challenging both the conduct of the primaries and the list of candidates submitted by the APC to INEC.

According to the sources, the affected aspirants reportedly engaged the law firm of Remi Olatubora (SAN) to pursue the legal challenge after failing to secure the party's tickets.

Those reportedly involved include Gbenga Elegbeleye (Ondo North Senatorial District), Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti (Ondo Central Senatorial District), Leke Akingboye (Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency), Rasaq Obe (Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency), Kayode Ijalana (Owo/Ose Federal Constituency), Oyerinmade Matthew (Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency), and Olumuyiwa Daramola (Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency).

Party insiders expressed concern that the outcome of the court cases could affect the APC's preparations for the 2027 general elections, adding that the party's national leadership is closely monitoring the developments.

An APC chieftain in Abuja, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to comment publicly, criticised the decision to challenge the primary outcome in court. The source alleged that Governor Aiyedatiwa encouraged the aggrieved aspirants to seek judicial redress after they lost the primaries.

The party stalwart further argued that internal party contests are rarely free of disputes, recalling that Governor Aiyedatiwa's emergence as the APC governorship candidate in 2024 also generated legal challenges before the matter was eventually resolved.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the APC National Working Committee nor Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had issued an official response to the allegations.

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