The Federal High Court, sitting in Gombe, has dismissed a suit filed by Hon. Bilyaminu Babadidi challenging the emergence of Jeri Joseph Damara as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Gombe South Senatorial District.
The case was heard on Wednesday by Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Gombe Division.
Babadidi had instituted the suit against the APC, Damara and the Independent National Electoral Commission, challenging the conduct and outcome of the party’s senatorial primary election held on May 18, 2026.
The plaintiff, through his counsel, Barrister Ayuba Rabi’u, called four witnesses, including Babadidi, and tendered documentary evidence in support of his case.
The witnesses told the court that no primary election was conducted at the ward, local government or senatorial district levels, alleging that electoral officials and election materials were not deployed to the relevant locations.
Babadidi also told the court that he had petitioned the APC’s Appeal Committee over the alleged irregularities but that no action was taken on his complaint.
However, the defence presented one witness, who testified that the APC primary election was conducted across the local government areas of Gombe South.
During the proceedings, the plaintiff’s counsel objected to some of the documentary exhibits tendered by the defence, arguing that the witness who presented them was not their maker.
Rabi’u also challenged the admissibility of the documents, including Exhibit F, which related to the accreditation and conduct of the primary election.
In its judgment, the court considered the evidence presented by the parties but held that the plaintiff failed to establish that the primary election was not conducted in Gombe South.
Consequently, the court dismissed Babadidi’s suit.
Speaking to journalists after the judgment, counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Ayuba Rabi’u, said his client would appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal.
“We are dissatisfied with the judgment, and we are going to appeal to the Court of Appeal,” Rabi’u said.
On his part, counsel to the defendants, Barrister Muzzambil Yahaya, commended the judge for what he described as a sound judgment.
He said, “We commend the honourable judge for her sound judgment.”