Aspirant for the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mangu North East Constituency, Hon. Plangnan Damshakal, has welcomed a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the African Democratic Congress (ADC) primary election for the constituency and ordering the conduct of a fresh primary election within 14 days.
The judgment, delivered on September 16, 2026, by Hon. Justice S.T. Ishaya of the Federal High Court, Jos Judicial Division, followed a suit filed by Hon. Plangnan challenging the conduct of the ADC primary election for Mangu North East Constituency.
In Suit No. FHC/J/CS/55/2026, between Hon. Plangnan Damshakal (Plaintiff/Applicant) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mahmud Zakari, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) (Defendants/Respondents), the court granted the major declaratory and injunctive reliefs sought by the plaintiff.
According to the judgment, the court held that the purported declaration of Mahmud Zakari as the ADC candidate for Mangu North East Constituency in the 2027 General Election was unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null, and void due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act, the ADC Constitution, and the party’s guidelines.
The court further ruled that the ADC failed to conduct a valid primary election across the eight wards that make up Mangu North East Constituency on May 23, 2026, and declared that the results announced on May 24, 2026, were fabricated and therefore invalid.
Additionally, the court found that Hon. Plangnan and other ADC members in the constituency were unlawfully disenfranchised and held that the declaration and return of Mahmud Zakari as winner of the primary election was unlawful, invalid, null, and void.
As part of its orders, the court set aside the declaration and return of Mahmud Zakari as the ADC candidate for Mangu North East Constituency and directed the party to conduct a fresh, credible, and lawful primary election in strict compliance with all applicable laws and party guidelines within 14 days of the judgment.
The court also restrained INEC from recognizing, accepting, or acting upon the purported nomination arising from the invalid process and awarded costs of ₦300,000 in favour of the plaintiff against the first and second defendants jointly and severally.
While addressing journalists, party leaders, supporters, and members of the public following the judgment, Hon. Plangnan described the ruling as a victory for democracy, due process, and the rights of party members.
“This is not simply a personal victory,” she said. “It is a victory for due process. It is a victory for internal democracy. It is a victory for every party member who believes that their vote should count. Above all, it is a victory for the principle that political power must come through the will of the people and not through manipulation of the democratic process.”
The aspirant explained that her decision to challenge the process was motivated by a desire to protect the integrity of the party’s democratic structures.
“I did not go to court because I wanted to fight anybody. I went to court because I believed the process was worth defending. After raising concerns about the conduct of the primary election, I pursued the internal mechanisms available within our party. When those efforts did not produce the necessary remedy, I chose the lawful path of seeking justice through the courts,” she stated.
Hon. Plangnan expressed appreciation to the Nigerian judiciary for providing citizens with a lawful avenue to resolve disputes and defend democratic principles.
She also thanked her legal team, supporters, party members, friends, and family members for their encouragement and steadfast support throughout the legal process.
“To the women who prayed and encouraged me, to the young people who refused to lose hope, to party members, friends, family, and everyone who stood with me publicly or privately, I am deeply grateful,” she said.
Plangnan emphasized that the judgment should not be viewed as the defeat of any individual but rather as the restoration of a transparent and credible democratic process.
“The court has ordered a fresh primary election. When that process takes place, I will return to the people. I will present my ideas, my vision, and my record, and allow delegates and party members to make their choice freely,” she said.
Responding to questions from journalists, she reaffirmed her confidence in the African Democratic Congress and its leadership.
“I believe strongly in the leadership of the ADC. If I did not believe in the credibility of the party, I would not have joined it. I believe in the party’s internal mechanisms and in its capacity to provide a platform for democratic participation and good governance,” she stated.
Asked whether the dispute could negatively affect the party ahead of future elections, Plangnan argued that the judgment demonstrates the party’s ability to address disagreements through democratic and lawful means.
“This situation shows that the ADC is capable of resolving internal disputes through due process. Rather than weakening the party, it demonstrates our commitment to democracy, accountability, and the rule of law,” she said.
The Certified True Copy of the judgment was issued on September 18, 2026.
Hon. Plangnan concluded by calling on all stakeholders to ensure that the forthcoming primary election is peaceful, transparent, credible, and conducted in strict accordance with the law and party guidelines.
“Today we have secured a judgment, but the greater victory will be when every member of our party can participate in a process where their voice matters and their vote counts. That is the democracy we must continue to build,” she said.
