A legal practitioner, Obunike Ohaegbu, has sued the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He alleges the party refused to announce the result of the primary election for Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency of Anambra. He filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He is seeking an order compelling the party to announce the result of the primary conducted in May 2026.
Party primary disputes are common in Nigeria. In 2022, several primaries ended in court. In 2023, the Supreme Court resolved multiple cases. The Electoral Act 2026 governs primaries. Parties must follow their guidelines. The courts have jurisdiction over nomination disputes. The NDC is a new party. It gained INEC recognition in February 2026. It has absorbed Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and other figures. Its internal processes are still being tested. The Nnewi dispute is one of the first.
The suit is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1219/26. It lists the NDC, Dr Ebere Onunkwo, Dr Socrates Ebo, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Peter Uzokwe as the first to fifth defendants. Ohaegbu claims he participated in the primary. He says he scored the majority of lawful votes. He alleges the NDC refused to declare the result at the venue. Instead, he says, the party secretly adopted Uzokwe as its candidate. He says this breached the party’s primary election guidelines.
Ohaegbu seeks several orders. He wants the court to declare him the winner. He wants the party to submit and upload his name to INEC as its duly nominated candidate. He also wants the court to restrain the NDC from recognising any other person as its candidate. He wants INEC restrained from accepting or publishing any other name.
At Monday’s proceedings, hearing could not proceed. The court discovered that the second, third and fifth defendants had not been served with the hearing notice. They were not in court. Counsel to the plaintiff, Ifeanyi Nrilike, confirmed that parties had filed and exchanged processes. Justice Mohammed Umar directed that hearing notices be served on the absent defendants. He adjourned the matter until 14 October for hearing. He ordered that evidence of service must be presented before the adjourned date.
Winners: Ohaegbu, who gains a hearing. The court, which asserts jurisdiction. Lawyers, who earn fees. Uzokwe, if he is cleared. Losers: The NDC, whose internal process is challenged. Uzokwe, whose nomination is contested. INEC, which is dragged into the dispute. The party, if the case drags on. Voters, who face uncertainty.
Bottom Line: A primary result is disputed. The court will decide. The NDC must follow its own rules. The case returns on 14 October. The party’s credibility is on trial.