Former House of Representatives member Sha’aban Ibrahim-Sharada has allegedly filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to replace the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Kano Municipal Federal Constituency, Yusuf Kofar Mata.
The Independent Mirror reports that the suit, marked FHC/ABI/CS/1633/2028, was reportedly filed on July 24, 2026.
According to the originating summons cited in the matter, Mr Sharada is seeking an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the NDC candidate for the Kano Municipal Federal Constituency.
Sources familiar with the development alleged that Mr Sharada did not purchase the NDC nomination form or participate in the party’s primary election that produced Kofar Mata as its candidate.
They further alleged that the former lawmaker sought to secure the party’s ticket through a process outside the party’s established nomination exercise.
The development has reportedly triggered a dispute within the Kano State chapter of the NDC, amid allegations that the state chairman, Hussaini Mairiga, wrote multiple letters to the Kano State office of INEC nominating different candidates.
Sources also claimed that attempts to have Mr Sharada’s name entered into INEC’s candidate portal were unsuccessful, prompting the former lawmaker to approach the Federal High Court.
According to the originating summons, the suit was filed pursuant to Sections 6(6), 36 and 285(9) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, as well as Sections 29(1) and (2), 31, 33, 84(1) and (2), and 88(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.
Mr Sharada is listed as the plaintiff, while the NDC and INEC are named as the first and second respondents, respectively.
The former lawmaker had earlier contested for the Kano Central senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but reportedly lost the party’s primary election to former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau.
The latest development has introduced another layer of uncertainty into the opposition contest for the Kano Municipal Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general election.
However, the allegations that Mr Sharada sought to replace the NDC’s duly nominated candidate without participating in the party’s primary election have not been independently established.
When contacted for his reaction, Mr Sharada did not respond to calls and messages from our correspondent.
Daily Nigerian
