COURT SACKS OMOSIGHO, DECLARES EFOSA NDC CANDIDATE FOR OREDO
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By: Fasasi Hammad
A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has removed Hon. Uyi Frank Omosigho as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election and declared Omo-Osagie Efosa the authentic candidate.
Omosigho currently represents Oredo East Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly.
Justice Chuka Obiozor delivered the judgment on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in a suit filed by Efosa against the party and other defendants.
The suit, numbered FHC/B/C/60/2026, challenged Omosigho’s emergence as the winner of the party’s primary election, with Efosa asking the court to recognise him as the rightful candidate.
Other defendants included the NDC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party’s state chairman, Engr. David Olukoga, and Frederick Endorokeme Owotorufa, who chaired the party’s state primaries and nominations committees.
In his judgment, Justice Obiozor criticised what he described as INEC’s frustrating approach to pre-election cases, noting that reliance on internal party mechanisms to resolve primary disputes was often used to delay or frustrate aggrieved aspirants seeking justice.
The judge held that evidence presented before the court established that Efosa participated in the primary election.
According to him, Efosa’s participation was confirmed by the returning officers and chairmen of all 12 wards in Oredo Federal Constituency.
Justice Obiozor added that the party leadership failed to provide evidence that Omosigho participated in and won the primary, unlike Efosa, whose participation was supported by documentary evidence.
The court subsequently ordered the NDC to submit Efosa’s name to INEC as its candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency in the 2027 election.
Reacting to the judgment, Efosa described the decision as a victory for the rule of law.
He expressed gratitude to the party’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, for his support and urged other aspirants to unite ahead of the January 16, 2027, election to strengthen the party’s chances of victory.
Meanwhile, Omosigho thanked the NDC leadership, party members, his supporters and the people of Oredo and Edo State for their continued support.
He called on party members and supporters to remain calm, peaceful and united while awaiting the outcome of the judicial process.
Omosigho expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would carefully review the matter and deliver justice in accordance with the law.
He reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing the case through the appropriate legal channels while maintaining his vision for effective representation, accountability, youth empowerment and the development of 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.
“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,” he said.
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