The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Tuesday fixed August 27 for hearing in the suit filed by aggrieved members of the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They are challenging their alleged substitution as validly nominated candidates for the 2027 general election.

Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter at the instance of counsel to the plaintiffs, Mohammed Ndarani-Mohammed, SAN, who sought time to respond to a preliminary objection filed by the APC challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the suit.

Justice Ekwo directed the counsels to file and exchange their processes before the next adjourned date.

The judge warned that absence of any counsel resulting in a delay of the proceedings would attract sanctions.

Matthew Burkaa, SAN, appeared for the APC, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),  was represented by Oluwole Olukunle.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, was filed by Sesugh Kaaba and other aggrieved APC candidates against the party and INEC.

On the last adjourned date, the court had ordered parties in the suit to maintain status quo.

The plaintiffs, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, sought six interim reliefs.

They sought an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates through a June 29 correspondence to INEC, or any subsequent communication, pending determination of the substantive suit.

They also sought an order compelling the APC to transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during primaries monitored by the commission.

(NAN)