At a point, Nwoko applied to amend the originating processes to reflect the pre-election suit as being personally commenced by himself rather than through his purported attorney.

But the defendants objected to the application.

Listed as defendants in the suit are the APC, Okowa and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Delivering the ruling, Justice after examining the originating summons, found that the suit was, indeed, commenced by Nwoko through his attorney, Nwoko.

The judge held that the form and content of the originating process showed that the suit was instituted in a representative capacity.

Relying on provision of Section 285 (14) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 88 (2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which prescribe the category of persons entitled to commence a pre-election suit, Justice Umar held that “the provisions were clear, explicit and unambiguous in vesting the right to institute a pre-election action in an aspirant, who participated in the relevant party primary.”

The judge further held that the right created by the constitution and the Electoral Act is a personal statutory right, which belongs exclusively to the affected aspirant and not an ordinary civil right that may be freely assigned, transferred or exercised through an agent or attorney.

Justice Umar further agreed with the defendants that the right to challenge the outcome, conduct or validity of a political party’s primary election is personal to the aspirant who participated in that primary and claims to have been aggrieved by the process.

He held that such an aspirant must personally invoke the jurisdiction of the court in the manner prescribed by law and cannot transfer the right of action to another person through a power of attorney.

Justice Umar also held that if the constitution or the Electoral Act had intended to permit an aspirant to institute a pre-election action through an attorney or in a representative capacity, the relevant legislation would have expressly said so.

The judge noted that neither Section 285 (14) of the Constitution nor Section 88(2) of the Electoral Act contained any provision extending the right to commence a pre-election suit to an attorney, agent or representative of an aspirant.

He, therefore, rejected Nwoko’s application for amendment and held that an amendment could not be used to revive a suit which was incurably defective from the moment it was filed.

He stressed that in substance, no amendment could breathe life into an originating process that was already a nullity.

The judge was of the view that there must first be a competent and subsisting proceeding before the court could exercise its discretionary power to permit an amendment.

He added that the originating process itself was void and incapable of conferring jurisdiction, and an amendment cannot operate retrospectively to create a valid suit.

Justice Umar consequently dismissed Nwoko’s application for leave to amend the originating summons and proceeded to strike out the substantive suit for want of jurisdiction

Mustapha, who confirmed his emergence in an interview with journalists said he had accepted the nomination, describing it as a responsibility to serve the people of the state.

“Yes, I have been nominated as the gubernatorial running mate and I have accepted the nomination. It is a call to service and I can’t reject such a call,” he said.

He added that the confidence placed in him by the party and the people would motivate him to contribute positively to the development of Bauchi State.

“The people know our capabilities and decided to trust us with the responsibility of leadership. We will not fail them,” he said.

The former commissioner, who recently left the Allied People’s Movement (APM) after losing out in the party’s governorship ticket race, said the decision to pair with Abubakar was based on the former governor’s experience and knowledge of governance.

According to him, Abubakar’s previous tenure as governor gives him an advantage in returning to lead the state.

“He is not a newcomer to the job. He knows exactly what to do, and it is only fair to allow him come back to complete the good things he started,” Mustapha said.

Mustapha, who served as Director-General of Governor Bala Mohammed’s 2023 re-election campaign, expressed confidence that the APC would defeat its opponents in the 2027 elections.

The APC State Organising Secretary, Sallau Kafi, had earlier confirmed that the party leadership and its governorship candidate had submitted Mustapha’s name and credentials to INEC for the running mate slot.

He said: “She is a loyal party woman, a bridge-builder, and a tireless voice for the vulnerable.”

Governor Kefas further noted that Ibrahim’s administrative and political experience would perfectly complement his administration’s developmental agenda.

Speaking in the same vein, Hajiya Aisha Kaigama, the Taraba State APC Women Leader, commended Governor Kefas for walking the talks in gender balancing in Northeast politics.

“This is a proud moment for women in Taraba.

“Hajiya Zainab has paid her dues; she has worked from the trenches to the national stage, and she will deliver.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) will next month unveil the particulars of all candidates seeking elective offices in the forthcoming general elections.