By TrackNews Political Desk
The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, has been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of participating in two separate primary elections, a development that has sparked fresh controversy within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.
The legal action was instituted by the Citizens Awareness Against Corruption and Social Vices Initiative, a civil society organization, which is challenging the legality of Salihu’s participation in both the House of Assembly and governorship primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the suit, the group named the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as co-defendants, seeking judicial interpretation of the Electoral Act and party guidelines regarding multiple nominations by a single aspirant.
According to court documents, Salihu allegedly participated in and secured clearance for the Kwara State House of Assembly primary election conducted on May 20, 2026. The plaintiffs further claimed that the Speaker subsequently took part in the APC governorship primary held days later, where he reportedly emerged as the party’s preferred candidate.
The organization argues that the alleged dual participation contravenes provisions of Nigeria’s electoral laws, which prohibit a candidate from contesting multiple primary elections for different offices within the same electoral cycle.
Consequently, the plaintiffs are asking the court to declare Salihu’s governorship nomination invalid and restrain INEC from recognizing him as the APC’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
The case has further exposed growing divisions within the Kwara APC, with some party stakeholders questioning the legality and propriety of the Speaker’s actions. While critics insist that the alleged dual nomination undermines democratic principles and party regulations, supporters of Salihu maintain that he remains qualified and eligible to contest the governorship election.
Political observers believe the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for the APC’s preparations for the 2027 governorship contest in Kwara State, as well as set a legal precedent on the issue of multiple nominations in party primaries.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Engr. Salihu nor the APC had officially responded to the allegations contained in the suit.
The matter is expected to come up for hearing in the coming weeks.
