A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to produce documents relating to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary held in Rivers State in 2026.
The order followed an application by a lawyer, Samuel Amatonjie, who asked the court to compel INEC to release certified true copies of key documents connected to the party’s primary election.
Among the documents requested was the APC membership register submitted to INEC on April 2026, alongside a letter dated the same month notifying the commission of the party’s planned primary election.
In a separate order, the court also directed the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Clerk of the National Assembly to produce certified true copies of the House’s records of proceedings, known as the Hansard, covering the period from April to June 2, 2026.
When the matter came up, Amatonjie explained why the documents were necessary for his case. After hearing his arguments, the presiding judge granted the applications.
However, the proceedings were not without objections.
Counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senior Advocate of Nigeria Paul Daudu, and counsel to Kingsley Ogundu-Chinda, Dike Udenna, complained about what they described as the late service of the plaintiff’s response to their objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
They consequently asked the court for more time to study the plaintiff’s counter-affidavit and respond appropriately.
Justice Muhammed Turaki, after listening to the lawyers, directed all parties to file and exchange the necessary court documents.
The case was subsequently adjourned until December 10, 2026, for hearing.
