Primary: JC appeals Gombe ruling

The former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ali Isa JC, member representing Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency of Gombe state, has filed an appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court in Gombe which nullified his primary election victory.

Justice Vera Ibrahim Eneabo had in a ruling delivered on September 30, 2026, nullified Hon. Isa’s primary election held in May, on the grounds that he failed to resign as a serving member of the House of Representatives before seeking re-election.

The court held that a member of the National Assembly is a political appointee and was, therefore, required to resign before contesting the primary for the same office.

Hon. Ali Isa JC has now appealed the decision at the Court of Appeal, urging the appellate court to set aside the ruling.

Meanwhile, a group of constituents from Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency, alongside a team of lawyers, has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) against Justice Eneabo over the judgment.

In the petition, the group described the ruling as controversial, arguing that the trial judge’s interpretation that an elected member of the National Assembly is a political appointee is flawed.

They contended that if the judgment is allowed to stand, it would set a dangerous precedent that would require every elected official – including the president, state governors, senators, House of Representatives members and State Houses of Assembly members – to resign their offices before seeking re-election, a position they said is contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The petitioners are asking the NJC to investigate the judgment to determine whether there was a breach of judicial competence or a compromise of the oath of fidelity to justice.

The Court of Appeal is expected to start its sitting on the appeal in the coming days.

According to Hon. Ali Isa JC’s membership card obtained by our correspondent, he has been a registered member of the APC since 20th April, within the deadline for the submission of political parties’ membership registers as required by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).