By DADA AYOKHAI
A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has declared Omo-Osagie Efosa, popularly known as Mighty Man, as the rightful candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for Oredo Federal Constituency, while nullifying the candidacy of the party’s paraded candidate, Hon. Uyi Frank Omosigho.
In a judgment delivered on Tuesday by Justice Chuka Obizor, the court resolved a pre-election dispute arising from the party’s primary election for the Oredo Federal Constituency seat.
The court held that Omo-Osagie emerged as the valid winner of the primary election conducted in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, and therefore ordered the NDC to recognize him as its candidate.
Consequently, the court directed the party to forward Omo-Osagie’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its authentic candidate for the Oredo Federal Constituency election.
The suit, marked FHC/B/C/60/2026, was instituted by Omo-Osagie against Omosigho, the NDC, INEC, the Edo State Chairman of the party, Engr. David Olukoga, and Mr. Frederick Endorokeme Owotorufa, who chaired the party’s State Primary and Nominations Committee.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Obizor faulted what he described as frustrating tendencies by INEC in the handling of pre-election matters, warning that procedural delays could undermine the ability of aggrieved aspirants to obtain timely judicial redress.
The judge also observed that reliance on internal party mechanisms for resolving disputes arising from primary elections could become a means of delaying justice where such processes were deliberately deployed to frustrate aggrieved aspirants.
Relying on constitutional provisions and evidence presented before the court, Justice Obizor held that the plaintiff had established his participation in the NDC primary election through evidence endorsed by the returning officers and chairmen of the 12 wards in Oredo Federal Constituency.
He noted that while the plaintiff’s participation in the exercise was supported by documentary evidence and confirmations from the ward officials, the party leadership failed to establish that Omosigho participated in the primary election and emerged winner.
The court consequently directed the NDC to recognise Omo-Osagie as the duly elected candidate and transmit his name to INEC for the January 16, 2027 election.
Reacting to the judgment, Omo-Osagie described the decision as a victory for the rule of law and democratic accountability, expressing appreciation to the national leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, for his support.
However, Omosigho has rejected the outcome of the judgment as the NDC candidate, declaring his intention to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
In a statement titled, ‘Oredo Federal Constituency: Remain Calm, United and Confident in the Judicial Process,’ Omosigho appealed to his supporters, party members and residents of Oredo and Edo State to remain peaceful while the judicial process continues.
He expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would carefully examine the issues raised in the matter and deliver justice in accordance with the law.
