By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
The former Minister of Sports Barrister Abdulrahaman Gimba, has dragged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to Federal High Court, Minna challenging the primaries election that produced Baba Shehu Àgaie as the the party’s senatorial candidate for Niger-South Senatorial District (Zone A).
Abdulrahaman Gimba, also a Minna based legal practitioner, is challenging the outcome of the election primaries in the suit FHC/ MN/ CS 55/2026 whereby he alleged that the election primaries was not conducted in some local government areas and some wards in the zone.
Joined in the suite included; ADC as first defendant, Baba Shehu Agaie as second defendant and the INEC, the third defendant respectively.
Gimba through his Counsel, Mohammed Gimba leading three other counsel prayed the court to nullify the said election claims which according to him was not conducted as claimed by the second defendant.
The plaintiff also alleged that the second defendant was not qualified to contest the election as he is still the party's leader as at the time of the election contest which contravene relevant sections of the electoral act 2025.
At the resumed sitting on the case which was slated for hearing, Counsel to the defendant Abdulrahaman Siraj, called for adjournment as some parties in the matter were yet to file their responses.
At this point, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Barau adjourned the matter to 22nd and 23rd July, 2026 to enable the first dependant served the plaintiff his statement of defence and as well allow the plaintiff respond to process of the defence counsels before the commencement of hearing
Speaking to journalists shortly after the Court proceedings, Counsel to the defendant, Abdulrahaman Siraj Esq, said the plaintiff approached the court contending that no election took place in some wards and local government areas.
The plaintiff also contended that the second defendant was not qualified to contest the election primaries as at the time of the contest because he was still the leader of the party and he did not resign his position from the party.
“We have filed the necessary processes on behalf of the second defendant. Issues has been joined as at the resumed sitting, there are some of the defendants that are yet to file their own statements of defences".
Siraj Esq also told journalists that, “It is on that ground that the case was adjourned 23rd and 24th of July, for the commencement of hearing”.
Also speaking, the defence counsel to the first defendant, Jibril Musa Kallamu Esq, argued that the case is an internal crises to the party which can be resolved within the party without necessarily coming to court.
Kallamu also hinted that, “Already, we are in court, but we are also making efforts to resolve the matter internally by the hearing date we are to resolve the matter”. NNL.
