Adamu Usman Sues APC Name Substitution: Seeks Mokwa Federal Seat

• Former Niger State Attorney General Adamu Usman has sued the APC and INEC over the substitution of his name after the 2026 primaries.
• Usman claims he was the consensus candidate for the Mokwa Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat and seeks to restore his name to the ballot.
• He views the party and INEC's actions as impunity, believing a legal challenge is necessary to encourage others and uphold electoral integrity.
• A support group, initiated by his constituents, is working to reinstate his candidacy while also campaigning for the APC.
• Usman is hopeful for a favorable court outcome, citing past judicial resolutions of similar candidate substitution disputes.

Usman emphasized the critical need for legal luminaries to challenge perceived acts of impunity, asserting that inaction would only embolden practices that undermine democratic processes and public trust.

Barrister Adamu Usman, a former Attorney General of Niger State and one-time Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, has initiated legal proceedings against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the State Independent Electoral Commission (INEC). The lawsuit stems from the alleged substitution of his name following the party's 2026 primaries, where he claims to have emerged as the consensus candidate for the Mokwa Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat.

Usman's primary objective through this legal action is to secure the restoration of his name to the ballot. He asserts that the decision to pursue litigation was driven by the strong desire of his constituents and numerous supporters for him to remain in the electoral contest. The former Attorney General views the actions of both the APC and INEC as a clear display of impunity, necessitating a robust legal challenge.

Usman articulated that his decision to challenge the substitution in court is rooted in a conviction that if a legal professional of his standing shies away from such a fight, it would deter others from confronting similar injustices. He believes that taking a stand is crucial for upholding the integrity of the electoral process.

Despite the ongoing legal battle to reinstate his candidacy, Usman and his supporters have also formed the "Tinubu, Bago, Usman support group" within his federal constituency. This group has a dual mandate: to actively work towards his return to the APC ballot and simultaneously to engage in voter sensitization efforts, encouraging the electorate to cast their votes for the APC. Usman highlighted that the idea for this support group originated directly from his supporters across various wards and three local governments, who expressed widespread anger over the substitution.

Usman expressed optimism regarding the outcome of his case, drawing parallels to previous instances where judicial intervention resolved similar disputes. He cited examples from Lavun and Makun local governments, as well as a senatorial district contest involving General Idris and Senator Mustapha, where courts ultimately decided the matter. These historical precedents reinforce his belief that the current nomination will not stand and that the court will ultimately rule in his favor.

Beyond his personal candidacy, Usman emphasized the critical need for legal luminaries to challenge perceived acts of impunity, asserting that inaction would only embolden practices that undermine democratic processes and public trust. He warned that a failure to confront such issues could lead to a future where primaries are conducted secretly, forms are purchased discreetly, and individuals are declared winners without genuine participation, thereby eroding hope for the common citizen.

Lawyers advising political aspirants or parties must be aware of the judicial avenues available for challenging candidate substitutions post-primaries, especially concerning the roles of political parties and INEC. This case underscores the ongoing legal scrutiny of internal party processes and electoral integrity in Nigeria.

Source: Reporting based on a recent media interview.