Court dismisses suit against Ewa, cites lack of legal standing

By Adewale Sanyaolu

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit challenging the emergence of Oden Ewa as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Cross River Central Senatorial District, ruling that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the action.

The court also held that the suit was statute-barred, incompetent and an abuse of court process, effectively ending the legal challenge to Ewa’s emergence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice M.G. Umar of Court 5, Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, upheld in their entirety the preliminary objections filed by the first and second defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1096/2026.

The action was instituted by Ms Mary Ekpere, who challenged the process that produced Ewa as the winner of the APC senatorial primary election conducted on May 16, 2026.

In its ruling, the court held that the plaintiff had no reasonable cause of action, noting that the dispute bordered on the screening of aspirants before the primary election, a matter it considered part of the internal affairs and democratic processes of a political party.

Justice Umar further ruled that Ekpere lacked the requisite locus standi to institute the action because she did not participate in the party’s primary election.

The court also found that the institution and maintenance of the suit amounted to an abuse of court process and consequently dismissed the action.

Reacting to the judgment, Ewa’s counsel, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, said the outcome vindicated his client’s position that the suit was without merit.

“We have always maintained that Oden Ewa has no case, and this is just a case of trying one’s luck.

“Fortunately, the court has consigned the suit to the judicial abyss.

“I think the plaintiff should learn from this and refrain from appealing, as we shall be seeking substantial costs if they do,” he said.

Meanwhile, APC stakeholders in Cross River State have welcomed the judgment, calling on aggrieved party members to close ranks and work towards the party’s victory in the 2027 elections.

A party stakeholder, Chief Obeten Obeten, said the judgment had affirmed Ewa’s emergence and should put an end to the internal disagreement.

“The court has finally spoken, confirming Oden Ewa as the duly elected representative of the Central Senatorial District.

“I advise all concerned to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign. We have barely three months to the election, so let us come together and deliver APC candidates,” he said.

Similarly, Ntufam Justin Agbor, an APC stakeholder from Ikom Local Government Area, said the ruling had provided further legal backing for Ewa’s candidacy.

He described the judgment as an opportunity for party members to unite behind the APC candidate, expressing confidence in Ewa’s capacity to represent the district at the National Assembly.