APC chieftain seeks Wadada’s disqualification over alleged dual party membership

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Honourable Tari Trochan, has approached a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking the disqualification of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada from the Nasarawa State governorship race over alleged dual party membership.

 

Trochan is challenging Wadada’s participation in the APC screening process ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that the senator violated constitutional and party provisions by allegedly maintaining membership in two political parties simultaneously.

 

In the originating summons filed on May 8, 2026, the plaintiff cited provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the APC constitution, as well as the Electoral Act, which criminalises dual party membership.

 

According to the suit, Wadada allegedly resigned from the Social Democratic Party on August 20, 2025, but continued to function in a Senate committee position reserved for opposition parties until April 22, 2026, when his defection to the APC was formally announced on the floor of the Senate.

 

The plaintiff argued that the senator could not legally enjoy “membership rights, privileges and political benefits in two political parties simultaneously.”

 

Trochan asked the court to declare Wadada ineligible for the APC governorship screening exercise and to nullify any screening already conducted involving him.

 

He also sought an order restraining the Nasarawa State APC Working Committee from supervising any screening process involving the senator.

 

Additionally, the suit asked the court to stop Wadada from participating in the APC governorship primaries for Nasarawa State.

 

The court directed the defendant to enter an appearance within seven days, warning that failure to do so could lead to proceedings continuing in his absence.

 

The summons is also to be served on the APC National Chairman, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.