The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has dismissed a pre-election suit challenging the emergence of former Minister of State for Health, Joseph Ekumankama, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election.
Key Highlights
- Federal High Court dismisses suit challenging Joseph Ekumankama’s APC candidacy.
- Idu Igariwey had sought to invalidate Ekumankama’s victory at the APC primary.
- Justice Hilary Ide Oshomah found no merit in the plaintiff’s case.
- Ekumankama’s emergence as the APC candidate was effectively upheld.
- His counsel, Roy O. Umahi Nwaeze, SAN, described the judgment as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
Court Dismisses Pre-Election Suit
The suit was filed by Idu Igariwey, who also contested the APC primary election. He asked the court to invalidate Ekumankama’s emergence and direct the party to recognise him as its duly nominated candidate for the constituency.
The case was instituted against the APC, Ekumankama and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
Delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Hilary Ide Oshomah, held that the plaintiff’s case lacked merit and consequently dismissed the suit.
Igariwey had sought an order restraining the APC and Ekumankama from presenting, sponsoring or recognising the former minister as the party’s candidate for Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency in the 2027 election.
He also asked the court to direct the APC to recognise and publish his name as its candidate and compel INEC to accept him in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.
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However, the court rejected the claims, effectively upholding Ekumankama’s emergence from the APC primary election.
Ekumankama’s Counsel Hails Judgment
Reacting to the ruling, counsel to Ekumankama, Roy O. Umahi Nwaeze, SAN, described the judgment as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
Nwaeze said the decision demonstrated the competence and fairness of the judiciary in resolving electoral disputes and ensuring that justice prevailed.
He added that the ruling would further strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of counsel to the plaintiff, Nnaemeka Victor Nwonu, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
