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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Federal High Court in Benin City has removed Uyi Omosigho as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, declaring Omo-Osagie Efosa, popularly known as Mighty Man, the rightful winner of the party’s primary.
The court ordered the NDC to recognise Efosa as its candidate and forward his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the election.
Efosa had instituted suit number FHC/B/C/60/2026, challenging Omosigho’s nomination and seeking recognition as the candidate who emerged from the party’s primary election.
Listed as defendants were Omosigho Uyi Frank, the NDC, INEC, Edo State NDC Chairman, David Olukoga, and Frederick Endorokeme Owotorufa, who chaired the party’s State Primaries and Nominations Committee.
Delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Chuka Obizor, criticised what he described as frustrating tendencies by INEC in the handling of pre-election matters, warning that internal party dispute-resolution mechanisms could also be used to delay aggrieved aspirants seeking judicial redress.
The judge held that the evidence before the court established Efosa’s participation in the primary election, as confirmed by returning officers and chairmen of the 12 wards in Oredo Federal Constituency.
He said the party’s leadership failed to establish that Omosigho participated in and won the primary election, unlike the plaintiff, whose participation and emergence were supported by the evidence presented.
The court consequently directed the NDC to declare Efosa the winner and forward his name to INEC as its candidate for the constituency.
Reacting to the judgment, Efosa described the decision as a victory for the rule of law and thanked the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, for his support.
He urged other aspirants and party members to put their differences aside and work together ahead of the January 16, 2027 election.
