By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, Taraba State, on Wednesday adjourned a suit challenging the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency to July 15, 2026, for hearing.
The presiding judge, Justice Mashkur Salisu, adjourned the matter following applications filed by the APC and the member representing Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Prince Tafida Abas, seeking leave to join the suit and defend the case.
When the matter came up on Wednesday, counsel to the APC and Hon. Tafida Abas filed separate motions seeking the court’s permission to join the case and defend the suit.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Barr. Longs Lugnan Takdok of P.D. Pius and Associates, did not oppose the applications, stating that the defendants have a constitutional right to defend themselves.
Addressing journalists shortly after the court session, Barrister L.L. Takdok esq, counsel for the plaintiff said,
“The matter was adjourned for hearing today, but upon coming to court, both the APC and Hon. Tafida Abas filed motions praying the court to allow them to join the case and defend the suit against them.
“We did not oppose the applications because they are exercising their constitutional right to defend the suit.
“They have filed their defence. We will study it, respond accordingly, and proceed with the matter,” Barr. Takdok added.
Recall that, Hon. Princess Leah Olusiyi Solomon, had approached the court, challenging the conduct of the exercise that allegedly produced the incumbent member, Hon. Prince Sadiq Tafida Abas, as candidate for the 2027 election.
According to Princess Solomon, the primaries were not conducted in the constituency, and pray court to nullify the the outcome.
Hon. Princess Leah Olusiyi Solomon approached the court to challenge the conduct of the APC primary election, which allegedly produced the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Prince Tafida Abas, as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.
According to Princess Solomon, no valid party primary was conducted in the constituency, and she is asking the court to nullify the outcome of the exercise.