The suit was instituted by Barr. Mary Ogoba Ekpere, who approached the court to challenge the processes leading to Ewa’s emergence as the party’s senatorial candidate.
By Staff Reporter
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Published on November 13, 2026
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3 min read
The Federal High Court sitting in 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 in the May 16, 2026 primary election.
The suit was instituted by Barr. Mary Ogoba Ekpere, who approached the court to challenge the processes leading to Ewa’s emergence as the party’s senatorial candidate.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, November 12, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1096/2026, between Barr. Mary Ogoba Ekpere and Oden Ibiang Ewa and two others, Justice M. G. Umar of Court 5, Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, upheld the preliminary objections filed by the first and second defendants and dismissed the suit.
In its decision, the court held that the suit was statute-barred and consequently incompetent, having been instituted outside the period prescribed by law.
The court also held that the plaintiff had no reasonable cause of action, noting that the dispute arose from the screening of aspirants before the party primary election, a matter falling within the internal affairs and internal democratic processes of a political party.
Furthermore, the court ruled that the plaintiff lacked the requisite locus standi to institute the action, having not participated in the party’s primary election, and that the institution and maintenance of the suit amounted to an abuse of court process.
Consequently, the court upheld the preliminary objections of the first and second defendants in their entirety and dismissed the plaintiff’s case.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to Ewa, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, said the outcome vindicated his client’s position that the suit lacked legal merit.
“We have always maintained that Oden Ewa has no case and this is just a case of try your luck, and fortunately, the court has consigned the suit to judicial abyss,” he said.
Ojukwu advised the plaintiff against appealing the judgment, warning that the defence would seek substantial costs should she proceed with an appeal.
Party Stakeholders React
Meanwhile, APC stakeholders in Cross River Central have welcomed the judgment, describing it as an opportunity for party members to put aside their differences and concentrate on the forthcoming elections.
A party stakeholder, Chief Obeten Emmanuel Obeten, said the judgment had brought further clarity to the dispute and urged aggrieved parties to embrace peace.
“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’s come together and deliver APC candidates,” he said.
Similarly, another stakeholder from Ikom Local Government Area, Ntufam Justine Agbor, said the judgment had provided additional legal backing to Ewa’s emergence as the party’s candidate.
He described the development as an opportunity for APC members to unite behind the party’s candidates, expressing confidence in Ewa’s capacity to represent the senatorial district at the National Assembly.
“Ewa has the capacity and the zeal to represent us at the NASS. This is the auspicious time for the electorate to come out en masse and vote for APC candidates,” Agbor stated.
