Ex-minister Gimba sues ADC, candidate over Niger South senatorial primary

Former Minister of Sports, Abdulrahman Gimba, has approached the Federal High Court in Minna to challenge the African Democratic Congress, ADC, primary election that produced Baba Shehu Agaie as the party’s candidate for Niger South Senatorial District.

In the suit marked FHC/MN/CS/55/2026, Gimba is asking the court to nullify the primary election, alleging that it was not conducted in some wards and local government areas within the senatorial district.

The defendants in the suit are the ADC, Baba Shehu Agaie and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Represented by his counsel, Mohammed Gimba, alongside three other lawyers, the plaintiff also contended that Agaie was not qualified to contest the primary, alleging that he was still occupying a leadership position in the party at the time of the exercise, contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2025.

When the matter came up for hearing before Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Barau, counsel to the second defendant, Abdulrahman Siraj, sought an adjournment, informing the court that some of the defendants were yet to file their responses.

Justice Barau subsequently adjourned the case to July 22 and 23, 2026, directing the first defendant to serve the plaintiff with his statement of defence and allowing the plaintiff time to respond before the commencement of hearing.

Speaking with journalists after the court session, counsel to the second defendant, Abdulrahman Siraj, said the plaintiff’s claims were based on allegations that the primary election was not conducted in some wards and local government areas and that the second defendant (Baba Shehu Agaie) was ineligible to contest because he had not resigned from his position within the party.

According to him, “We have filed the necessary processes on behalf of the second defendant. Issues have been joined, but some of the defendants are yet to file their statements of defence. That is why the matter was adjourned for the commencement of hearing.”

Also speaking, counsel to the first defendant (ADC), Jibril Musa Kallamu, said the dispute was an internal party matter that could still be resolved without prolonged litigation.

“While the matter is before the court, efforts are also being made to resolve it internally. We hope that by the next adjourned date, the issues would have been amicably settled,” Kallamu stated.