The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit challenging the emergence of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kebbi State.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice M. G. Umar held that the plaintiff, Abdulrazak Isa Iko, failed to establish that he participated in the party’s governorship primary election and therefore lacked the legal standing to challenge the outcome.
The court ruled that, having failed to prove his participation in the primary, the plaintiff had no locus standi to institute the action.
Justice Umar consequently dismissed the suit in its entirety, describing it as lacking merit.
The ruling removes a significant legal hurdle to Malami’s candidacy, allowing the ADC flagbearer to continue his campaign ahead of the governorship election.
The court also reaffirmed the legal principle that only individuals with the requisite legal standing can challenge the conduct and outcome of a political party’s primary election.
