Court Declines Bid to Strike Out Affidavit in APC Primary Dispute, Adjourns Case to July 6

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By Junaidu Sani 

The Federal High Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday ruled on pending applications in 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.

The case, which has drawn significant attention from political stakeholders in Kebbi State, took a fresh turn as the court delivered its ruling on an application filed by the first defendant, Umar Hassan Augie.

Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, Munirat O. Yahaya, said that at the previous sitting, the matter was adjourned to enable the court rule on a motion brought by the first defendant.

She explained that the application sought an order striking out certain paragraphs of the plaintiff’s Further and Better Affidavit. The first defendant also requested leave of the court to file an additional process in response to the affidavit.

According to Yahaya, the court dismissed the request to strike out the disputed paragraphs, holding that the application lacked merit.

However, the court granted the first defendant leave to file a further response to aspects of the plaintiff’s Further and Better Affidavit, which the defence argued had not been adequately addressed in its earlier filings.

She added that the matter remains pending, with both parties expected to file any additional processes considered necessary to assist the court in determining the case.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 6, 2026, for further hearing.

Felande is challenging the declaration of Umar Hassan Augie as the APC candidate for the Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency, alleging that no valid primary election was conducted before the announcement of the result.

The case is expected to remain under close watch, as its outcome could have significant implications for the APC’s candidacy in the constituency.