By Our Political Reporter

The Federal High Court No. 2 sitting in Gombe has reserved judgment in a suit challenging the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The suit was instituted by an APC aspirant, Mr. John Alfred, who is challenging the victory of Hon. Ali Isa J.C. as the party’s candidate for the House of Representatives seat.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Ahmed Musa, told the court that no valid APC primary election was conducted in the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency on May 18, 2026, as required by law. He alleged that no election took place in any of the 20 wards across Balanga and Billiri Local Government Areas, yet the APC declared Hon. Ali Isa J.C. as the winner of the primary election.

The plaintiff urged the court to nullify the declaration of Hon. Ali Isa J.C. as the APC candidate and order the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh primary election, arguing that the process was marred by substantial irregularities.

In his defence, counsel to the first defendant, Hon. Ali Isa J.C., J.J. Adamu, SAN, filed a motion on notice alongside a preliminary objection, urging the court to dismiss the suit. He maintained that the APC primary election was validly conducted across the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency.

The senior lawyer further informed the court that Hon. Ali Isa J.C. resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on April 14, 2026, relinquished his position as the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, and subsequently obtained valid membership of the APC before participating in the party’s primary election.

He relied on Order 4 Rule 6 of the Federal High Court Practice Directions, arguing that the plaintiff’s suit lacked merit and should be struck out.

Also, counsel to the APC, Barrister Muzzammil Yahaya, raised a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the suit and the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter. He urged the court to dismiss the case for being incompetent.

Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barrister Bashi M. Abubakar, told the court that the commission monitored the APC primary elections across Gombe State and confirmed that it has the official list of candidates who emerged from the exercise.

After listening to the submissions of all parties, the presiding judge, Justice Verah Eneibor Ibrahim, reserved judgment and said a date for the delivery of the judgment would be communicated to all parties through their respective counsel.

By Our Political Reporter

The Federal High Court No. 1 sitting in Gombe on Tuesday heard a pre-election suit filed by an All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant, Bilyaminu Babadidi, challenging the nomination of Jeri Damara as the party’s candidate for the South Gombe Senatorial District.

The suit, which is before Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, has the APC, Jeri Damara and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.

Babadidi is asking the court to nullify Damara’s nomination, alleging that the APC did not conduct a valid primary election in the South Gombe Senatorial District before declaring him the party’s candidate.

The plaintiff told the court that no primary election was conducted in any of the 40 wards in the senatorial district. He further stated that although he petitioned the party’s Appeals Committee after the primary, his complaint was not considered.

He is therefore seeking an order setting aside Damara’s nomination and directing the APC to conduct a fresh senatorial primary election for the district.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Ayuba Rabiu, called four witnesses, namely Musa Gebi, Emmanuel Abel Bable, Stash and the plaintiff himself.

The witnesses testified that no APC primary election was held in any of the 40 wards in the South Gombe Senatorial District and maintained that Damara was declared the party’s candidate without an election.

The witnesses were cross-examined by counsel to the defendants, Barrister Muzzambilu Yahaya, Barrister J. M. Gayus and Barrister Bashir M. Abubakar.

After the plaintiff closed his case, Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed adjourned the matter until Wednesday, July 1, 2026, for the defendants to open their defence.

By Our Correspondent

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has intervened in the lingering crisis surrounding the non-payment of stipends to N-Power beneficiaries, following a crucial meeting at the National Assembly.

The meeting, which held shortly after Tuesday’s Senate plenary, brought together key stakeholders including representatives of the aggrieved beneficiaries, their legal team, government officials, and civil society activists.

Present at the high-level engagement were Barrister Abba Hikima, legal representative of the beneficiaries; Kehinde James, Chairman of the N-Power Beneficiaries Forum; and renowned activist Bello Galadanchi, popularly known as Dan Bello. Also in attendance were Senator Muntari Dandutse, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda; and the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Yusuf Ata.

During the meeting, the Deputy Senate President noted that the beneficiaries had approached his office seeking parliamentary intervention in their prolonged struggle to secure payment of outstanding stipends and entitlements, reportedly amounting to ₦81 billion.

Senator Barau said he immediately contacted the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, who responded promptly and joined the meeting. Discussions, which lasted for about an hour, were described as “fruitful,” leading to renewed optimism on the part of the beneficiaries.

“The Minister has already gone far in preparations to ensure the money is paid. The government is not insensitive to the plight of the beneficiaries,” Senator Barau said. “This administration is committed to ensuring that no Nigerian is denied what is due to them, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Barrister Hikima confirmed that the legal team had previously filed a case at the National Industrial Court in Abuja to compel the government to act. However, following assurances given at the meeting, the beneficiaries agreed to suspend the legal process.

“As explained by the Honourable Minister, the government owes my clients about ₦81 billion,” Barrister Hikima stated. “He has told us they are working on it. We appreciate the efforts of the Deputy Senate President, who, despite not being directly affected, took it upon himself to convene this meeting.”

He further commended the presence and assurances given by the two ministers involved in the discussion, expressing hope that the payments would be made before the end of the year.

“The Honourable Ministers have given us their words, and we are hopeful that the government will fulfill its commitment,” he added.

The N-Power programme, a key component of the federal government’s National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), has over the years empowered thousands of Nigerian youths with temporary employment and skills. However, delays in stipend payments have generated tension and protests from former participants.

Tuesday’s meeting marks a significant step toward resolving the issue amicably and restoring confidence in the programme’s integrity.