BREAKING: Kwara North PDP Crisis Deepens as Engr. Iliasu Suleiman Challenges Substitution, Sues INEC, Party and Kolo

BREAKING: Kwara North PDP Crisis Deepens as Engr. Iliasu Suleiman Challenges Substitution, Sues INEC, Party and Kolo

The political crisis surrounding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial ticket for Kwara North has taken a new legal turn, as the party's earlier candidate, Hon. Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu, has approached the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin to challenge the substitution of his name with that of Hon. Kolo Baba Jiya.

The development was contained in an originating summons reportedly obtained by Just Event Online TV on Sunday.

The suit, marked FHC/IL/CS/136/2026, was filed before the Federal High Court, Ilorin Judicial Division, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP and Kolo Baba Jiya listed as respondents.

According to the court documents, Engr. Iliasu is asking the court to determine whether the substitution of his name and the subsequent publication of Kolo's name by INEC complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Iliasu maintains that he emerged as the winner of the PDP primary election for the Kwara North Senatorial District conducted on May 20, 2026. He further claims that INEC subsequently published his name on August 1, 2026, as the PDP candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.

However, the applicant is challenging the subsequent publication of Kolo Baba Jiya's name by INEC on September 12, 2026, as his replacement.

Iliasu Questions Legality of Substitution

A major issue before the court is whether the PDP could lawfully substitute Iliasu after his nomination and publication as the party's candidate without his withdrawal of candidature, as contemplated under the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

The applicant is asking the court to interpret Sections 29, 31, 32 and 33 of the Electoral Act, 2026, particularly regarding the circumstances under which a political party may substitute a candidate whose name has already been published by INEC.

Among the reliefs being sought, Iliasu wants the court to declare the substitution of Kolo Baba Jiya in his place unlawful, illegal, null and void.

He is also asking the court to declare him the rightful and validly nominated PDP candidate for the Kwara North Senatorial District in the 2027 general election.

Furthermore, he is seeking an order directing INEC to continue recognising him as the PDP candidate and restraining the electoral commission, its officials, agents and representatives from recognising Kolo Baba Jiya as the party's candidate pending the determination of the suit.

The applicant is also seeking any other orders the court may consider appropriate in the circumstances.

The originating summons was filed by lawyers from Alajo & Associates, Ilorin, on behalf of Iliasu.

Another Chapter in PDP Kwara North Dispute

The lawsuit comes amid growing political tensions within the PDP over the Kwara North senatorial ticket and the party's efforts to reposition its structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development is expected to attract considerable attention across the five local government areas that make up Kwara North, particularly as stakeholders continue to debate zoning, political representation and the internal arrangements surrounding the senatorial ticket.

The matter is now before the Federal High Court for determination.

NupekoTV notes that the allegations and claims contained in the suit represent the applicant's position and have not been determined by the court. The PDP, INEC and Kolo Baba Jiya will have the opportunity to respond to the claims through the judicial process.

The court's eventual decision will determine the legal status of the disputed PDP senatorial candidature.