Abdugani Arobo, one of the aspirants dissatisfied with the NWC’s selection, initiated legal action against the APC and INEC, culminating in the recent court decision.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court held that the APC failed to make the lawful return and that the evidence of the party was riddled with inconsistencies.

The court declared that the plaintiff (Arobo) was the winner of the primary election for the House of Representatives election for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.

The judgment read, “The plaintiff, having scored the highest lawful votes cast at the primary election held on the 16th day of May, 2026 with a total of 7,959 votes in Owo Local Government Area and 2,583 votes in Ose Local Government Area respectively, is the only aspirant whose name can be lawfully forwarded to the second defendant (INEC) as its nominated candidate for the seat of the House of Representatives, representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.

“An order is hereby made for the defendants to forthwith accept, recognise, support, relate and deal with only the plaintiff, as winner of the House of Representatives election for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, the plaintiff having scored the highest lawful votes cast in the first defendant’s primary election conducted on the 16th day of May, 2026.

“An order of perpetual injunction is made restraining the defendants, their agents and privies howsoever described, from recognising, dealing or relating with any other person apart from the plaintiff, as winner of the House of Representatives election for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, the plaintiff having scored the highest lawful votes cast in the first defendant’s primary election conducted on the 16th day of May, 2026.

“An order is further made, directing the 2nd defendant forthwith to reopen its portal, for the purpose of including and uploading the plaintiff’s name, as rightfully nominated candidate of the 1st defendant, for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency general election, to be conducted in 2027.”

According to him, his decision to align with the PDP was borne out of his desire to contribute to the realisation of Pantami’s governorship aspiration and the transformation of Gombe State.

The defection is the latest in a series of political realignments in the state following Pantami’s emergence as the PDP governorship candidate, with several politicians and supporters across party lines declaring their support for his ambition.

Professor Pantami is expected to fly the PDP flag in the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State

The Sultan’s media team, in a statement signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka and made available to Naija News on Tuesday, described the claim as false, insisting that the Sultan, as a father figure to all Nigerians, could not make such a partisan political statement either publicly or privately.

Adefaka urged Nigerians to disregard and condemn what it described as a malicious attempt to drag the Sultan into partisan politics.

“Our simple response to the report is that it is not possible for the Sultan, as the father of all, to make such a statement, either publicly or in any other forum,” the statement said.

It further stated, “Let it be made clear once again that the institutions of monarchy and religion led by the Sultan are institutions of a father figure. As such, His Eminence cannot but remain within the purview of that role by offering fatherly, royal and spiritual blessings, as well as guidance, to Nigerian politicians who seek his counsel and blessings.

“The Sultan’s doors cannot be shut against anyone who comes to him, regardless of political affiliation or persuasion. His Eminence has consistently demonstrated that he is the father of all and will continue to relate with all Nigerians without discrimination.”

The Media Team called on members of the public to reject any attempt to misrepresent the Sultan’s position or associate him with the political campaign or candidacy of any individual ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It added that the Sultan remained committed to promoting peace, unity, stability and peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s diverse peoples and faiths.

The statement also appealed to media practitioners and social media users to exercise restraint by verifying information before sharing reports capable of misleading the public or dragging traditional and religious institutions into partisan political controversies