An aspirant for the House of Representatives seat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Jaba/Zangon Kataf Federal Constituency, Hon. Abraham Katung, has approached the court to challenge the outcome and conduct of the party’s primary election held ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Hon. Katung, in a suit filed before a Federal High Court, named the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency, Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, as defendants in the matter.
The legal action follows when the APC announced Hon. Amos Magaji as the party’s candidate for the Jaba/Zangon Kataf Federal Constituency seat in Kaduna State.
According to sources within the party, efforts were made prior to the primary election to reach a consensus arrangement among the aspirants.
However, Hon. Abraham Katung was reportedly the only aspirant who declined to sign the consensus agreement, insisting that the party should conduct a direct primary election in compliance with the provisions of Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended).
Katung contended that despite his position and objections, the APC proceeded with what he described as an indirect primary election process rather than the direct primary election stipulated under the law.
In the suit before the court, the plaintiff argued that the process adopted by the party was illegal, unconstitutional, and inconsistent with the Electoral Act, alleging that APC party excos were used in the selection process instead of allowing all duly registered party members to participate through a direct primary.
According to court documents made available to journalists,
Hon. Katung is asking the court to declare the primary election null and void on grounds that the process allegedly violated the Electoral Act, the APC constitution, and the party’s electoral guidelines and recognize him as the rightful candidate or give an order compelling the APC to conduct a fresh and transparent direct primary election in accordance with the Electoral Act and democratic principles.
He further prayed the court to restrain INEC from recognizing or accepting the name of Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji as the duly nominated APC candidate for the constituency pending the determination of the suit.
Speaking through members of his legal team, Hon. Katung maintained that his action was not intended to create division within the party but to defend internal democracy, fairness, and the rights of party members.
“This action is about justice, internal democracy, and ensuring that the provisions of the Electoral Act are respected by all political parties,” a source close to the legal team stated.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain official reactions from the APC leadership in Kaduna State and Hon. Amos Magaji were still ongoing at the time of filing this report.
Political observers in Southern Kaduna say the development may intensify political discussions within the constituency, especially amid earlier calls by stakeholders and youth groups for fairness and adherence to zoning and rotational arrangements in the area.
The court is expected to fix a date for hearing in the coming days.
