Fubara Dagogo drags APC leadership to court, alleges political sabotage and unlawful exclusion from zonal congress
By Ginikachi Njoku / May 29, 2026
ABUJA, Nigeria —Fresh Legal Battle Rocks APC Ahead Of 2027 Political Realignments
A fresh internal crisis has erupted within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) after an aggrieved party aspirant, Ambassador Fubara Dagogo, dragged the party and some of its top national officials before the Federal High Court in Abuja over his alleged exclusion from the contest for the position of National Vice Chairman (South-South).
The suit, which is already drawing attention within the APC’s power blocs, exposes growing tensions over internal democracy, candidate selection processes and control of party structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dagogo, in the case filed before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, accused the APC leadership of deliberately frustrating his ambition despite allegedly spending over N100 million in pursuit of the position.
Aspirant Alleges Deliberate Political Exclusion
According to court documents, the plaintiff claimed he fulfilled all requirements stipulated by the party, including payment for expression of interest and nomination forms, but was allegedly denied access to the forms by party officials.
Dagogo argued that after making the required payments on March 13, 2026, he proceeded to the APC national secretariat in Abuja to obtain the forms only to be informed that they were no longer available.
The aspirant described the development as a calculated attempt to block him from contesting the South-South zonal congress.
“You cannot discard me after I spent over N100 million pursuing this ambition,” Dagogo reportedly stated in his court filings, accusing certain party officials of manipulating the process to protect entrenched political interests.
Top APC Officials Named In Suit
The lawsuit named the APC as the first defendant alongside key national officials of the party.
Those listed in the suit include the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; the incumbent National Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom; and the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu.
Dagogo alleged that some influential figures within the APC deliberately denied him access to the nomination process out of fear that he could defeat the incumbent officeholder during the zonal congress.
Political observers believe the lawsuit could reopen debates about transparency and fairness within the APC’s internal electoral processes, particularly as the party prepares for more intense power struggles ahead of 2027.
Legal Challenge Targets South-South Congress Outcome
In his prayers before the court, Dagogo is seeking an order nullifying any outcome of the APC South-South zonal congress conducted without his participation.
He also demanded N100 million in damages for what he described as embarrassment, emotional distress and psychological trauma allegedly caused by the actions of the party and its officials.
Legal analysts say the case may test the limits of judicial intervention in party affairs, especially given longstanding legal debates over whether internal political disputes are justiciable.
APC Moves To Dismiss Suit
The APC, through its legal representatives, has already asked the court to dismiss the matter, arguing that issues concerning party nominations and internal congresses fall strictly within the domestic affairs of the party and are therefore beyond judicial interference.
The party maintained that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain disputes arising from internal political processes.
However, constitutional lawyers note that Nigerian courts have increasingly intervened in party disputes where allegations of denial of fair hearing, breach of party constitution or violation of electoral guidelines are established.
Internal Democracy Questions Resurface
The lawsuit comes at a politically sensitive period for the APC, as internal disagreements continue to emerge across various states and party structures following recent congresses, primaries and strategic alignments ahead of 2027.
Political stakeholders warn that unresolved grievances within the ruling party could fuel further defections, factional disputes and legal confrontations capable of weakening party cohesion before the next election cycle.
The South-South region, in particular, remains a strategic battleground where several political actors are positioning to control party structures and influence future electoral outcomes.
As the legal battle unfolds, the APC faces renewed scrutiny over allegations of exclusion, imposition and lack of transparency in its internal processes.
With Ambassador Fubara Dagogo insisting that he was unfairly denied participation after investing heavily in the race, the court’s eventual ruling may not only determine the validity of the South-South zonal congress but could also shape future debates on internal democracy within Nigeria’s ruling party.
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