NDC Crisis Deepens as Kano Governorship Aspirant, Others Sue to Void Primaries, Stop INEC from Recognising Candidates

A fresh crisis has engulfed the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a governorship aspirant in Kano State, Mukhtar Muhammad, and four other aggrieved party members have approached the Federal High Court seeking to nullify the party’s primary elections and bar the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising candidates produced through the exercise.

The plaintiffs, Shuaib Abubakar Fagge, Mustapha Salisu Musa (Fanandas), Musa Hudu Yusuf, Mukhtar Muhammad and Mahfuz Yahuza, are challenging the legality of the NDC primaries conducted in Kano State on May 28, 2026.

In an Originating Summons filed before the Federal High Court, they alleged that the primaries were conducted in violation of the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution and its guidelines for the 2027 general election.

The suit contends that the party unlawfully delegated the sale and distribution of its Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms in Kano State to a single individual, who allegedly determined which aspirants were allowed to obtain forms and participate in the primaries.

According to the plaintiffs, the arrangement breached the Electoral Act and the NDC’s constitution, arguing that the responsibility for issuing nomination forms cannot legally be vested in an individual or faction within the party.

They further alleged that no valid primary election was conducted, claiming there was no proper accreditation of delegates or members, voting, counting or collation of votes as required by law and the party’s guidelines.

The plaintiffs also maintained that despite being eligible members of the NDC, they were denied nomination forms and excluded from participating in the governorship, House of Representatives and Kano State House of Assembly primaries for Fagge, Tarauni and Gwale constituencies.

They asked the court to declare that the party violated its constitutional and statutory obligations by denying them equal opportunity to contest elective offices and failing to provide a level playing field for all aspirants.

Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiffs want the court to nullify all the primary elections conducted by the NDC in Kano State on May 28, 2026, including those for the governorship, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.

They are also seeking an order setting aside the Certificate of Return issued to Aminu Suleiman Goro as the party’s candidate for the Fagge Federal Constituency and restraining him from presenting himself as the NDC candidate pending the conduct of fresh primaries.

The suit further seeks perpetual injunctions restraining INEC from accepting, recognising, publishing or acting on the names of candidates produced through the disputed primaries.

The plaintiffs also asked the court to compel the NDC to conduct fresh primary elections for the affected constituencies in compliance with the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution and its election guidelines.

In addition, the lead plaintiff is seeking a refund of the ₦2 million allegedly paid for his Expression of Interest and Nomination Form, as well as ₦200 million in general and exemplary damages for the alleged breach of contract and denial of the opportunity to participate in the primaries.

The suit, filed by counsel to the plaintiffs, Moses Ademola Falana of Nayara Legal Consult, is expected to test the legality of the NDC’s primary election process in Kano and could have significant implications for the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election if the court grants the reliefs sought.