By John Azu
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit challenging Bello’s emergence as the APC candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The application was filed in response to a suit instituted by Momoh Obaro, who is challenging Bello’s emergence as the party’s candidate for the senatorial election.
Obaro, through his counsel, A.T. Hassan (SAN), filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1085/2026, asking the court to declare that, having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast at the APC primary held on May 18, he was the lawful winner and should have his name forwarded to INEC as the party’s candidate.
In a further affidavit filed in response to Bello’s counter-affidavit, Obaro alleged that although the former governor completed and submitted his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the primary election, he subsequently voluntarily withdrew from the race.
However, in his preliminary objection filed through his counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), Bello urged the court to dismiss the suit for being fundamentally defective, incompetent and incapable of conferring jurisdiction on the court to adjudicate the matter.
Daudu argued that Obaro’s written address failed to comply with the mandatory provisions of Paragraph 7 of the Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions 2026, as amended, among other grounds.
He further argued that, contrary to Obaro’s claim, Bello scored the highest number of lawful votes at the primary, securing 72,999 votes against Obaro’s 188 votes.
The former governor also maintained that Obaro had earlier indicated his withdrawal from the race.
Obaro, however, denied withdrawing from the contest and maintained that he secured the highest number of votes at the primary.
Justice Inyang Ekwo has adjourned the matter until November 19 for further hearing.