Court nullifies PDP Kaduna Central primary election, orders re-run

Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Wednesday nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election for Kaduna Central senatorial district, while ordering a re-run within 14 days.

Malam Lawal Adamu popularly known as Mr LA was declared the winner of the primary election with his name subsequently published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the PDP Kaduna Central senatorial district candidate.

But the plaintiff, Usman Ibrahim, who came second in the PDP primary at the Gymnasium Hall of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna, challenged the result of the primary election, noting that due procedure were not followed as there was over voting. 

The presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Garba Umar while giving his ruling said the claims by the plaintiff are substantial likewise the decision by INEC and the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) earlier decision to arrange for a fresh primary which did not hold, hence claims by the defendants that the primary election was constitutional is null and void.

The judge then ruled that the primary election is nullified and PDP should conduct fresh primary within the next 14 days. 

Speaking shortly after the judgement, lead counsel to the plaintiff, Sam Atung (SAN) said the judgment is good for the rule of law, constitutionalism and internal democracy within the various political parties.

“The judgment of the court has been delivered and the entire claims of the plaintiff were upheld by the honourable court and our claim was basically for a repeat primary election that was initially ordered by the PDP National Working Committee to be held on the 4th of June but for reason best known to the state working committee the election didn’t hold.

“So, as loyal party members, our client decided to approach a Federal High Court for an interpretation of the provisions of section 84 of the electoral Act 2022.They were ordered to conduct a repeat primary within 14 days from today.”