Court removes Uyi Frank Omosigho as NDC candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency and declares Omo-Osagie Efosa the winner of the primary
A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has removed Hon. Uyi Frank Omosigho as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election and declared Omo-Osagie Efosa the authentic winner of the party’s primary.
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Justice Chuka Obiozor delivered the judgement on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in a suit instituted by Efosa against the NDC and other defendants over the party’s nomination process.
Omosigho currently represents Oredo East Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly.
The suit, numbered FHC/B/C/60/2026, challenged the declaration of Omosigho as the winner of the NDC primary. Efosa asked the court to recognise him as the rightful winner of the exercise.
Other defendants included the NDC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party’s Edo State chairman, Engr. David Olukoga, and Frederick Endorokeme Owotorufa, who chaired the party’s state primaries and nominations committees.
In his judgement, Justice Obiozor criticised what he described as INEC’s frustrating tendencies in pre-election disputes.
The judge said reliance on internal party mechanisms to resolve disagreements arising from primary elections was being used to delay and frustrate aspirants seeking judicial redress.
He held that evidence presented before the court established that Efosa participated in the NDC primary.
According to the judgement, his participation was confirmed and endorsed by the returning officers and chairmen of all 12 wards in Oredo Federal Constituency.
Justice Obiozor added that the party leadership failed to establish that Omosigho had participated in and won the primary election.
He said Efosa’s participation, in contrast, was supported by evidence before the court.
Consequently, the court ordered the NDC to submit Efosa’s name to INEC as its candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency in the 2027 election.
Reacting to the ruling, Efosa described it as a victory for the rule of law.
He thanked the NDC’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, for his support and urged other aspirants to unite ahead of the January 16, 2027, election.
Efosa said unity among party members would be important to the NDC’s efforts to secure victory at the polls.
Omosigho, however, urged party members and supporters to remain calm and peaceful while awaiting the outcome of the judicial process.
He thanked the NDC leadership, party members, his supporters and residents of Oredo and Edo State for their continued support.
The lawmaker expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would carefully consider the matter and deliver justice in accordance with the law.
He said he remained committed to pursuing the case through the appropriate legal channels while continuing to advocate purposeful representation, accountability, youth empowerment and development in Oredo Federal Constituency.
“I appeal to our supporters to avoid inflammatory statements, respect the judiciary and remain law-abiding. Let us continue to stand together in unity and confidence,” he said.
“Our calmness is not surrender, and our patience is not weakness. We remain determined to pursue justice with dignity and respect for the rule of law,” Omosigho added.
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The ruling sets the stage for a potential appeal as the NDC navigates the dispute over its Oredo Federal Constituency ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
