APC Ticket Dispute: Court Adjourns Samir Felande-Umar Augie Case to Friday for Substantive Arguments

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By Junaidu Sani 

 

The Federal High Court in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday continued hearing the suit filed by Samir Salihu Felande challenging the emergence of Umar Hassan Augie as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency.

 

Felande is contesting Augie’s declaration as the winner of the APC primary election, alleging that no valid primary election was conducted before the announcement of the result.

 

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, Munirat O. Yahaya, said that at the previous sitting, the APC filed an application seeking an extension of time to regularise and file its defence after the stipulated deadline had elapsed.

 

According to her, the court heard arguments on the application during Wednesday’s sitting and subsequently granted the request, allowing the APC to file and regularise all its processes. The court also admitted the documents as part of the party’s defence. She added that the plaintiff’s legal team filed an affidavit in response to the application on behalf of their client.

 

Counsel to the APC, Mukhtar Bala Yahaya, confirmed that the court granted the application and admitted all the party’s processes. He stated that the matter was adjourned to Friday, June 26, 2026, for parties to present their substantive arguments.

 

Also speaking after the hearing, counsel to the first defendant, Bashar Umar, said his team appeared before the court to defend Umar Hassan Augie against the suit challenging his emergence as the APC candidate for the constituency.

 

He explained that the first defendant intended to bring an application before the court, but the judge held that the application was not yet properly before the court and therefore could not be entertained at that stage of the proceedings.

 

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to Friday, June 26, 2026, for the hearing of substantive arguments by all parties.

 

The outcome of the case is expected to determine the validity of the APC primary process that produced the party’s candidate for the Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency ahead of the forthcoming general elections.