Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Senator Ireti Kingibe have been challenged at the Federal High Court in Abuja of their senatorial candidacies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The suits, filed by aggrieved aspirants from their respective political parties, are seeking the nullification of the primaries that produced both lawmakers as candidates for the 2027 senatorial elections.
Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court granted separate applications for substituted service of court documents on both senators after attempts to serve them personally were unsuccessful.
Lawan’s case was brought by Hassan Kafayos, who is challenging the outcome of the primary election that produced the former Senate President as the candidate of All Progressives Congress for the Yobe North Senatorial District.
During proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, Francis Mgboh, told the court that direct service of court papers on Lawan had failed despite efforts by the court bailiff. He argued that alternative means of service had become necessary.
The claimant alleged that Lawan, who currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, could not be reached through conventional means. He therefore requested permission to serve the court documents through any responsible adult found at the office of the Senate Committee on Defence chairman.
Justice Ibrahim granted the request and fixed July 20 for hearing.
In a separate but related matter, Kingibe’s emergence as candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the Federal Capital Territory senatorial seat is also being contested.
The suit was filed by Mubarak Tijani, who is asking the court to void the primary election that produced Kingibe as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Moses Awuru, informed the court that several efforts to personally serve Kingibe with the court processes had failed.
He asked the court to permit substituted service through one of the senator’s legislative aides.
Justice Ibrahim approved the application and adjourned the matter until July 21 for further mention.
In the substantive case, Tijani is seeking a declaration that the FCT senatorial primary election conducted by the ADC was invalid and should be set aside.