Court Affirms Oden Ewa’s APC Senatorial Primary Victory

The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed Mr Oden Ewa as the duly elected candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Cross River Central Senatorial District in the May 16, 2026 primary election.

The court also dismissed a suit challenging the conduct of the primary, ruling that the action was statute-barred and incompetent.

The suit, filed by Barrister Mary Ogoba Ekpere against Ewa and two others, came up for judgment on November 12, 2026.

Delivering judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1096/2026, Justice M.G. Umar of Court 5, Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, upheld the preliminary objections raised by the first and second defendants and dismissed the plaintiff’s case in its entirety.

The court held that the suit was statute-barred and that the plaintiff had no reasonable cause of action, noting that the issues raised concerned pre-primary election matters, particularly the screening of aspirants, which fell within the internal affairs and democratic processes of the political party.

It 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.

Reacting to the judgment, Ewa’s counsel, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, said the defence had consistently maintained that the case lacked merit.

“We have always maintained that Oden Ewa has no case. This was simply a case of trying one’s luck, and fortunately, the court has consigned the suit to judicial oblivion,” he said.

Ojukwu advised the plaintiff against appealing the judgment, warning that the defence would seek substantial costs should she pursue further litigation.

*Party Stakeholders Welcome Judgment*

Meanwhile, APC stakeholders in Cross River Central have welcomed the judgment, describing it as a legal affirmation of Ewa’s mandate and an opportunity for the party to consolidate its preparations for the 2027 general election.

A party stakeholder, Chief Obeten Emmanuel Obeten, said the ruling had settled the dispute and urged aggrieved parties to embrace peace and unity.

“The court has finally spoken, confirming Oden Ewa as the duly elected representative of the Central Senatorial District. I advise everyone to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign. We have only a few months to the election, so let us unite and deliver all APC candidates,” he said.

Similarly, Ntufam Justine Agbor, a stakeholder from Ikom Local Government Area, described the judgment as further legal validation of Ewa’s candidacy.

He urged constituents to rally behind the APC, expressing confidence in Ewa’s capacity and commitment to effective representation at the National Assembly.

Agbor said the time had come for party members and supporters to close ranks and mobilise voters for the party’s candidates in the forthcoming elections.