Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 19, 2026, to deliver judgment in the legal battle over the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Kogi Central.
Justice Inyang Ekwo announced the date after lawyers representing all parties adopted their final written addresses, bringing the hearing to an end.
The suit was filed by APC aspirant Momoh Yusuf Obaro, who is challenging the outcome of the party’s May 18 senatorial primary election. He is asking the court to declare him the lawful winner of the exercise.
Obaro also wants the court to order the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the party’s candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial District and publish his name in line with the law.
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who was declared the APC candidate, rejected the claims. He told the court that he won the primary with 72,399 votes, while Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke scored 319 votes and Obaro received 188 votes.
Bello argued that the case lacked merit and was not properly supported by the required legal documents. He therefore urged the court to dismiss the suit.
After listening to the submissions of all lawyers, Justice Ekwo reserved judgment until November 19, 2026.
The case is one of several pre-election disputes before Nigerian courts ahead of the 2027 general elections. The judgment is expected to determine who will officially fly the APC flag for the Kogi Central Senate seat and could shape the party’s preparations for the poll.
