Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit challenging the outcome of the party’s Yobe North senatorial primary.
Lawan and the APC filed separate preliminary objections, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by an aspirant, Hassan Kafayos, who was excluded from the primary.
Kafayos had alleged that although he was initially screened as an eligible aspirant, he was later informed on the day of the primary that only Lawan had been cleared to contest.
He further alleged that police officers used tear gas to disperse voters at the designated venue before the exercise was allegedly moved to Lawan’s private residence, where the former Senate President was endorsed as the party’s candidate.
However, Lawan’s lawyer, Shaibu Aruwa, SAN, argued that the case was filed in the wrong division of the Federal High Court and should have been instituted in Damaturu rather than Abuja.
The APC also argued that the suit was filed outside the constitutionally prescribed 14-day period for pre-election matters.
Justice Salim Ibrahim has adjourned the case until September 18 for hearing.
