Court orders APC to conduct fresh primary for Plateau Rep seat

A Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hold new primary elections in 10 wards of the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency due to alleged irregularities in the party's previous primary. Justice Dorcas Agishi delivered a judgment in a suit brought by Hon. Esther Bitrus Danboyi against APC chairman Dachung Musa Bagos and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Danboyi challenged the original primary result, claiming it was conducted irregularly and not complying with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and APC guidelines. Her lawyer, Ritji Timothy Yilwatda, argued that fair hearing was denied after Danboyi submitted petitions to the party and its Primary Election Appeal Committee. The court found that the required elections were not held in the challenged wards and ordered the APC to conduct them within 30 days.

The affected wards are Du, Shen, Zawan 'B', Fobur 'A', Fobur 'B', Jarawan Kogi, Mai Juju/Doss, Federe, Shere East, and Shere West. The court also dismissed the defendants' preliminary objections, deeming them without merit, and awarded Danboyi a total of N1.5 million in costs, with N500,000 each to Bagos, the APC, and INEC.