C’River: Court dismisses suit challenging Ewa’s APC senatorial primary victory

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit challenging the emergence of Mr Oden Ewa as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Cross River Central Senatorial District.

The suit, filed by Ms Mary Ekpere, challenged the processes that produced Ewa as winner of the APC senatorial primary election held on May 16, 2026.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice M.G. Umar of Court 5, Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, upheld the preliminary objections filed by the first and second defendants in their entirety.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1096/2026, was between Ekpere as plaintiff, Ewa and two others as defendants.

The court held that the suit was statute-barred and consequently incompetent.

It also held that the plaintiff had no reasonable cause of action, noting that the subject matter concerned a pre-primary election dispute relating to the screening of aspirants, which fell within the internal affairs and democratic processes of a political party.

The court further ruled that the plaintiff lacked the requisite locus standi to institute the action, having not participated in the party’s primary election.

It also held that the institution and maintenance of the suit constituted an abuse of court process.

Consequently, the court upheld the preliminary objections of the first and second defendants and dismissed the plaintiff’s suit.

Reacting to the judgment, Ewa’s counsel, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, said his client had always maintained that the suit lacked merit.

“We have always maintained that Oden Ewa has no case, and this is just a case of try your luck.

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

“I think the plaintiff should learn and not go on appeal, as we shall be seeking substantial cost if they appeal,” he said.

Some APC stakeholders in Cross River welcomed the judgment, describing it as an opportunity for party members to close ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Chief Obeten Obeten, a party stakeholder, said the judgment had affirmed Ewa’s emergence as the duly elected representative of the district.

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

“I advise all to sheath their swords for 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 judgment had provided further legal backing for Ewa’s emergence.

“Again, the court has added legal backing to Ewa’s election. It is an indication that he is the people’s choice.

“This is the auspicious time for the electorate to come out en masse and vote for APC candidates. Ewa has the capacity and zeal to represent us at the National Assembly,” he said.