Gombe Lawmaker Challenges Court Ruling On APC Primary

Former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ali Isa JC, has appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Gombe which nullified his victory within the All Progressives Congress (APC) main election for Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency.

Justice Vera Ibrahim Eneabo had, in a judgment delivered on September 30, 2026, nullified the first election held in May, ruling that Isa was required to resign as a serving member of the House of Representatives earlier than searching for re-election.

The court docket held {that a} serving member of the National Assembly was a political appointee and was due to this fact required to resign earlier than contesting the get together’s main for a similar workplace.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Isa has approached the Court of Appeal, asking the appellate court docket to put aside the judgment, in a press release by his media workplace.

Meanwhile, a bunch of constituents from Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency, alongside a group of attorneys, has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the judgment.

In the petition, the group faulted the choose’s interpretation of an elected member of the National Assembly as a political appointee.

The petitioners argued that if the judgment stands, it may create a precedent requiring elected public workplace holders, together with the president, governors, senators and members of the federal and state legislatures, to resign earlier than searching for re-election.

They maintained that such a requirement could be inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The group requested the NJC to analyze the judgment to find out whether or not there have been grounds for concern relating to the choose’s dealing with of the case and interpretation of the regulation.

The attraction is anticipated to return earlier than the Court of Appeal within the coming days.