The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a pre-election suit instituted by Prince Sanusi Galadima challenging the emergence of Rt. Hon. Abel Peter Diah as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Gashaka, Kurmi and Sardauna Federal Constituency.

The judgment, delivered on Friday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, resolved the major issues in favour of Diah, effectively rejecting Galadima’s legal challenge to the nomination process that produced him as the party’s candidate.

The suit centred on the legitimacy of the APC’s candidate selection process, with Galadima questioning the process through which Diah emerged as the party’s flag bearer for the federal constituency covering the three local government areas in Taraba State.

In its ruling, the court held that Galadima failed to establish that he had been nominated or substituted in the disputed process. It also found that he was not an aspirant in the pre-election process under consideration.

The court further distinguished between the electoral processes relied upon by the parties, noting that the exercise which produced Diah as the APC candidate was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while the election cited by Galadima was not monitored by the commission.

Another critical issue considered by the court was whether the plaintiff had exhausted the APC’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the judiciary.

On this question, the court ruled against Galadima, reinforcing the importance of complying with the appropriate internal procedures in resolving disputes arising from political party primaries and nominations.

Consequently, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed the suit, bringing the challenge to Diah’s emergence as the APC candidate to an end at the trial court.

The Guardian observed that the ruling represented a setback for Galadima’s attempt to overturn Diah’s nomination, while leaving the court’s decision as the determining outcome of the legal challenge at that level.

Reacting to the judgment, Diah applauded the judiciary, describing the ruling as a victory for the people of Gashaka, Kurmi and Sardauna Federal Constituency and Taraba State at large.

He said the decision had reaffirmed his confidence in the judicial process and called on his supporters to remain peaceful as political activities gathered momentum.

Diah urged his supporters to avoid actions capable of triggering tension or disrupting public peace, stressing the need for responsible conduct as they canvassed for votes from eligible voters on his behalf.

He also called for political engagement that would promote peace, unity and respect for the rule of law across the constituency.

The dismissal of the suit, as observed by The Guardian, on marks a significant development in the legal contest surrounding the APC ticket for Gashaka, Kurmi and Sardauna Federal Constituency.