A Federal High Court in Gombe has pushed back its ruling on a challenge to the All Progressives Congress's senatorial primary for Gombe South. Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed set July 22, 2026, as the new date when both parties will submit their closing arguments ahead of judgment.
Bilyaminu Babadidi filed the suit challenging Jerry Joseph Damara's emergence as the APC's candidate for the district. He also named the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission as defendants in the case.
During proceedings, Babadidi's legal team called four witnesses, including the claimant himself, and presented multiple documents to support their case. The witnesses testified that no primary election occurred at polling units or within local government areas.
They alleged that election officials and voting materials never arrived for the exercise. Babadidi also told the court he submitted a complaint to the APC Appeal Committee but received no response to his grievance.
The APC countered with its own witness, Rabilu Musa, who identified himself as chairman of the party's National Primary Election Committee. Musa insisted that the APC ran its senatorial primary across Gombe State on May 18, 2026, covering all districts.
Under cross-examination, however, Musa acknowledged a significant gap in the party's evidence. He admitted that the voters' register was never presented before the court as proof of the election's authenticity.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Mohammed adjourned the proceedings. She scheduled the July date for counsel to file written submissions before she announces her decision on the disputed primary.
