A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared the nomination of Major General Nuhu Angbazo (Rtd) as the governorship candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Nasarawa State invalid. This ruling, delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar, came as a result of a lawsuit filed by former Minister of Environment Mohammed Abdullahi, who contested in the same primary election that produced Angbazo.

The court found that the primary election was flawed, primarily due to the exclusion of results from Karu Local Government Area, which Justice Umar deemed critical. He stated that the omission of Karu's results rendered the primary inconclusive, thus invalidating Angbazo's candidacy for the upcoming 2027 governorship election.

In light of this ruling, Justice Umar ordered the ADC to conduct a fresh primary election in Karu Local Government Area within 14 days. Furthermore, the court has prohibited Angbazo from presenting himself as the party's candidate, while also restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing him in that capacity.

The judgment has significant implications for the ADC as it gears up for the 2027 elections. Following the court's decision, Professor Mubarak Adekilekun, the counsel for the plaintiff, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, calling it a victory for the party. He emphasized that the ADC must now ensure a proper primary election in Karu before any candidate can be legitimately recognized.

This development adds to the legal challenges facing the ADC in Nasarawa State, as the party must navigate the complexities of organizing a new primary election while maintaining its political strategy ahead of the general elections. The ruling underscores the importance of adhering to electoral processes and ensuring that all party members have a fair opportunity to participate in candidate selection.