INEC’s Absence Stalls Hearing On Kaduna Senatorial District APC Primary

The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned hearing to September 7, 2022 in the suit filed by Hon Halliru Ibrahim challenging his exclusion from the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary held in Kaduna North senatorial district.

The court adjourned the matter following the absence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Three aspirants, including incumbent Senator Suleman Kwari; President Muhammadu Buhari’s in-law, Turad Sani Sha’aban, and Haliru Ibrahim were to contest the senatorial primary, But Ibrahim’s name was omitted by INEC, only for the commission to write his name with a pen.
Sha’aban, who was the aspirant in Kaduna lost to Senator Uba Sani, though he has rejected the outcome of the election.
The primary election was also said to have been marred by, as cameras and other electronic gadgets belonging to some journalists were confiscated by the thugs supporting one of the aspirants.
Some delegates were also reportedly injured by the hoodlums who were said to be brandishing different types of weapons.
At the resumed hearing of the case, counsel of the plaintiff, Barrister Solomon Joshua, prayed the court to nullify the primary election on grounds that INEC breached electoral laws by omitting Haliru Ibrahim’s name.

After hearing the submission of the plaintiff’s counsel, that of the defendant and incumbent, Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari, Justice Hadiza Shagari Ahmad of the federal high court adjourned the matter to September 7 for INEC to appear in court.