Nigeria Court Cases Challenge APC and Accord Party Primary Results

In Abuja, a Federal High Court is hearing two separate lawsuits over disputed party primaries. Former Delta State official Prince Michael Diden claims the APC’s Delta South senatorial primary held on May 18, 2026 was rigged, alleging collusion between the party, Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas and INEC to falsify results. Diden seeks a declaration that he was the true winner and an order to overturn the announced outcome; the case was adjourned to July 20.

Meanwhile, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, an Accord Party chieftain, contends he won the party’s presidential primary on May 30, 2026 but the party failed to upload his name to INEC’s nomination portal. He argues this breaches the Electoral Act and seeks a court order directing the party to submit his candidacy or to conduct a fresh primary. A substantive hearing is set for July 14.