Court Reserves Ruling in APC Argungu/Augie Primary Election Dispute Until July 2

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By Junaidu Sani 

 

The Federal High Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi on Friday reserved ruling until July 2, 2026, on fresh applications filed in the suit challenging the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency.

 

The plaintiff, Samir Salihu Felande, is challenging the emergence of Umar Hassan Augie as the APC candidate for the constituency, alleging that no valid primary election was conducted before the declaration of the result.

 

Speaking to journalists after the court session, counsel to the plaintiff, Munirat O. Yahaya, explained that at the previous adjourned sitting, the court deferred proceedings to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to file its processes and to enable the first defendant, Umar Hassan Augie, move a pending application.

 

According to Munirat Yahaya, the first defendant sought leave of the court to respond to the plaintiff’s Further and Better Affidavit, arguing that it introduced new issues requiring a response.

 

She said the plaintiff opposed the application through a counter-motion, maintaining that all parties had already filed their processes in accordance with the law and that no further filings should be entertained.

 

Yahaya further disclosed that during Friday’s proceedings, INEC regularised its participation in the matter by filing all its processes. Thereafter, counsel for both Samir Salihu Felande and Umar Hassan Augie presented arguments on the pending application.

 

Following submissions by both parties, the court reserved ruling on the application until Thursday, July 2, 2026. The court is expected to deliver its decision before proceeding with the substantive hearing of the suit.

 

The case is one of several pre-election matters arising from the APC primary election for the Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency. The court’s ruling is expected to determine the next phase of the legal challenge over the party’s nomination for the constituency.