Haruna Garba Argungu’s victory in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives primary in the Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency of Kebbi State was overturned on Monday by the Federal High Court in Birnin Kebbi.
The decision was made by Justice Baba Gana Ashigar in response to a petition brought by Sani Yakubu Noma that contested Argungu’s nomination as a PDP candidate in the district.
Other parties identified as respondents in the case included the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Noma had pleaded with the court to uphold the validity of the outcome of the district’s May 23 primary election for the House of Representatives, in which he was declared the victor.
He said by virtue of the provision of sections 29 (i) and 84 (5) (c) (ii) of the Election Act, 2022 and the Electoral Guidelines for Primary Election of the PDP, the substitution of his name with that of Argungu was illegal and cannot be sustained.
The petitioner, therefore, asked for an order setting aside the substitution and publication of Argungu as the PDP candidate in Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency by INEC.
In his ruling, Justice Ashigar declared Noma as the PDP candidate in the district and ordered INEC to recognise him as such.
