Uyo, Akwa Ibom State — The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo has adjourned the suit challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the 2027 Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly elections to July 10, 2026, following preliminary arguments over the court’s jurisdiction.

The suit, marked FHC/UY/CS/104/2026, was instituted by eight APC aspirants seeking the nullification of the party’s primaries conducted in seven state constituencies. The applicants are also asking the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising candidates who emerged from the disputed exercise.

The plaintiffs contend that they were unlawfully disqualified from participating in the primaries and allege that aspects of the screening process were conducted outside the party’s approved timetable, making the exercise invalid.

When the matter came up for hearing, counsel representing the APC raised a preliminary objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit. The respondents argued that the court lacked the legal authority to hear the matter and urged that the case be dismissed.

Counsel for the applicants opposed the objection, insisting that the court has the jurisdiction to determine issues relating to the alleged unlawful disqualification of aspirants and compliance with applicable electoral laws and party guidelines.

After listening to submissions from both parties, the court adjourned the matter until July 10, 2026, for further proceedings on the preliminary objection and the applicants’ response.

The case had earlier been scheduled for hearing on June 4, 2026, but was postponed after the applicants requested additional time to effect proper service on all respondents. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to June 30, 2026, when the jurisdictional objection was raised.

The outcome of the case could have implications for the APC’s House of Assembly nominations in the affected constituencies if the court eventually grants the reliefs sought by the applicants. However, no determination has yet been made on the merits of the suit, and the court is expected to first decide the jurisdictional issue before proceeding further.