Court Orders APC to Hold New Primaries for Jos Seat

Justice Dorcas Agishi ruled in favor of Hon. Esther Bitrus Danboyi in a suit against Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ordering the APC to conduct fresh primaries for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency seat. The judgment, delivered on October 9, 2026, followed Danboyi's challenge to the primary election that produced Bagos as the party's candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Danboyi's counsel, Ritji Timothy Yilwatda, Esq., argued that the primary was invalid due to alleged non-compliance with constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act, and APC guidelines. The court found that elections were not conducted in the challenged wards, which include Du, Shen, Zawan ‘B’, and others, and ordered the APC to hold elections within 30 days.

The court also dismissed the defendants' preliminary objections and awarded N1.5 million in costs, with N500,000 each against Bagos, the APC, and INEC, payable to Danboyi.