BIRNIN KEBBI — Abubakar Labbo Gwandu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Gwandu Federal Constituency in Kebbi State, has approached the Federal High Court in Birnin Kebbi to challenge his alleged replacement as the party’s candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
Labbo instituted the suit against the ADC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), also joining Muhammad Umar Jega and Mansur Musa Jega as defendants.
The claimant alleged that he emerged from a validly conducted ADC primary election for Gwandu Federal Constituency but was subsequently removed and replaced by Muhammad Umar Jega.
He further alleged that Umar Jega was later replaced by Mansur Musa Jega as the party’s candidate for the constituency.
According to Labbo, neither of the changes was carried out with his knowledge or consent. He also alleged that financial inducements were involved in the process that led to his removal from the party’s ticket.
“I won the primaries but was later replaced with Umar Jega, and he was also replaced by Mansur Musa Jega after allegedly giving a huge graft to Wambai, who facilitated my replacement after I was declared by INEC as the winner of the primaries,” he said.
Labbo’s legal action is seeking to challenge the validity of the changes to the ADC’s candidature and restore what he maintains is his legitimate position as the candidate produced by the party’s primary election.
He said he decided to seek judicial intervention after what he described as an injustice, insisting that he was never consulted or asked to give his consent before the changes were made.
The candidate said the case had already come up for its first hearing before the Federal High Court commenced its vacation.
Labbo maintained that his victory at the primary election entitled him to represent the ADC in the 2027 election for Gwandu Federal Constituency and that the subsequent alterations to the party’s ticket should not stand.
The allegations contained in the suit remain subject to determination by the court. No finding of wrongdoing against the defendants has been established in the proceedings described.
The court is expected to consider the issues surrounding the primary election, the subsequent changes to the party’s candidate and the status of Labbo’s claim to the ADC ticket when proceedings resume.
2027: Kebbi ADC Reps Candidate Sues Party, INEC Over Alleged Illegal Replacement
