A dispute over the conduct of primary elections has landed the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in court, as governorship aspirant Mukhtar Muhammad and four other party members seek to overturn the party’s primary elections held in Kano State.
The plaintiffs filed an originating summons before the Federal High Court, challenging the validity of the primaries conducted on May 28, 2026, and asking the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising candidates who emerged from the exercise.
The suit was filed by Shuaib Abubakar Fagge, Mustapha Salisu Musa (Fanandas), Musa Hudu Yusuf, Mukhtar Muhammad and Mahfuz Yahuza, who alleged that the primaries were conducted in violation of the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution and its guidelines for the 2027 general elections.
According to the plaintiffs, the party improperly handed the responsibility for the sale and distribution of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms in Kano State to a single individual, giving one party member the power to determine who could obtain nomination forms and contest the primaries.
They argued that such an arrangement breached both the Electoral Act and the party’s internal regulations, insisting that the authority to issue nomination forms cannot legally be delegated to an individual or faction within the party.
The aggrieved members further claimed that no lawful primary election took place, alleging that the process lacked proper accreditation of delegates, voting, vote counting and result collation as required by law and party guidelines.
They also maintained that they were unfairly denied nomination forms despite meeting the eligibility requirements, preventing them from contesting the governorship, House of Representatives and Kano State House of Assembly primaries in Fagge, Tarauni and Gwale constituencies.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to declare the entire primary election process in Kano State invalid and to nullify the governorship, House of Representatives and State Assembly primaries conducted on May 28, 2026.
They are also seeking an order cancelling the Certificate of Return issued to Aminu Suleiman Goro as the party’s candidate for the Fagge Federal Constituency and preventing him from presenting himself as the NDC candidate until fresh primaries are conducted.
In addition, they want the court to restrain INEC from accepting or publishing the names of candidates produced through the disputed primaries and compel the party to organise fresh elections in accordance with the Electoral Act and its constitution.
The lead plaintiff is also requesting a refund of the ₦2 million paid for his Expression of Interest and Nomination Form, as well as ₦200 million in general and exemplary damages over the alleged denial of his right to participate in the primaries.
If successful, the lawsuit could significantly affect the NDC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections in Kano State.
