Court Fixes September 10 Hearing In Alleged NDC Candidate Substitution Suit

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 10, 2026, for hearing in a suit filed by Igbinosa Ogbeide-Ihama challenging his alleged substitution as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Oredo Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

The matter came up before Justice Obiorah Egwuatu on Monday, with only counsel representing the NDC present in court.

Ogbeide-Ihama, who is the plaintiff in the suit, is challenging the nomination of Hon. Frank Omosigho as the party’s candidate for the constituency.

The plaintiff told the court that he won the NDC primary election conducted on May 29, 2026, but alleged that the party subsequently substituted his name with that of Omosigho.

He is asking the court to declare him the validly nominated candidate of the NDC for the Oredo Federal Constituency election.

Ogbeide-Ihama is also asking the court to declare the nomination and submission of Omosigho’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) illegal, null and void.

In addition, the plaintiff is demanding N50 million in aggravated and exemplary damages from the NDC, alleging that the party acted in bad faith and breached provisions of its own constitution.

The suit has INEC, the Nigeria Democratic Congress and Hon. Frank Omosigho as the first, second and third defendants respectively.

The case was adjourned to September 10 for hearing.

The outcome of the suit could determine who is recognised as the NDC candidate for the Oredo Federal Constituency seat, subject to the court’s decision and applicable electoral laws.