The Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu has adjourned the hearing of a petition challenging the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Yobe State, held on 21st May, 2026.

The petitioner, Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, an aspirant in the primary election, is challenging the emergence of Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 governorship election.
The petitioner alleged that the election was conducted with irregularities.

Hearing the case, Justice Fatima Murtala Amin, emphasised the critical role of the judiciary in ensuring fair hearing and the administration of justice.

The petitioner’s counsel, Mustapha Shaba Ibrahim (SAN), highlighted that the APC’s electoral guidelines and procedures were not properly followed during the primary election.

“The case is that what took place during the conduct of the primary election on 21st May was not in accordance with the guidelines and procedures of the party,” he stated.

He informed the court that the petitioner had so far called nine witnesses, adding that more witnesses would testify as the trial progresses.

According to him, the witnesses had testified that the primary election was conducted without following proper electoral guidelines.

Ibrahim, SAN, further disclosed that the petitioner has 56 witnesses lined up and will continue to present them before the court.

In his response, the counsel to the defendant, Baba Dala, SAN, explained that the case has been adjourned to September 2026.

He noted that the plaintiff, who had proposed to call 63 witnesses, had only been able to produce nine so far.

“The complainant said they will call 63 witnesses, but they have only been able to bring nine so far. They requested an adjournment, and the matter has been adjourned to September 7, 8, and 9 for them to continue producing their witnesses,” Dala added.

Dala cautioned against drawing any conclusions on the outcome of the case at this stage, stating that the trial is still ongoing.

The APC held its primary election on 21 May 2026, in which Alhaji Baba Malam Wali emerged as the winner with 236,711 votes.

The petition before the court is centred on alleged irregularities that accompanied the gubernatorial primary election that produced Baba Malam Wali as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 general elections in Yobe State.