Court removes Edo NDC Reps candidate, names Efosa winner

A Federal High Court in Benin City has removed Uyi Omosigho as the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Oredo Federal Constituency in Edo State, and declared Omo-Osagie Efosa as the party's rightful flagbearer for the seat.

The ruling was delivered on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, by Justice Chuka Obiozor in suit number FHC/B/C/60/2026. Efosa, who is popularly called Mighty Man, had asked the court to set aside the party's decision to name Omosigho as the winner of its primary.

Omosigho currently represents Oredo East Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly. He was the first defendant in the case. Others sued were the NDC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party's state chairman David Olukoga, and Frederick Endorokeme Owotorufa, who chaired the party's state primaries and nominations committee.

What the judge said

Justice Obiozor held that the evidence showed Efosa took part in the primary. He said returning officers and the chairmen of all 12 wards in Oredo Federal Constituency confirmed and endorsed Efosa's participation.

The judge said the party's leadership could not show that Omosigho took part in the primary and won it. He ordered the NDC to declare Efosa the winner and send his name to INEC as its candidate for the constituency.

The judge also criticised what he described as frustrating tendencies by INEC in pre-election cases. He said relying on parties' internal dispute mechanisms was being used to delay and frustrate aggrieved aspirants seeking redress.

For ordinary voters in Oredo, the ruling settles, at least for now, who carries the NDC's flag when the general election holds on 16 January 2027. The party had been heading into the race with a candidate whose nomination was under challenge.

Both sides react

Efosa welcomed the judgment, calling it a victory for the rule of law. He thanked the party's national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, for his support, and urged other aspirants to unite ahead of the 2027 election.

Omosigho thanked the NDC leadership, his supporters and the people of Oredo and Edo State. He asked members and supporters to stay calm, peaceful and united while the legal process continues.

He said he was confident the Court of Appeal would look carefully at the matter and deliver justice according to the law. He also said he would keep pursuing justice through the proper legal channels while focusing on his plans for the constituency.

Our calmness is not surrender, and our patience is not weakness.

He urged supporters to avoid inflammatory statements and to respect the judiciary.

What happens next: The NDC is expected to send Efosa's name to INEC as its candidate. Omosigho has signalled he will challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, so the final word on the party's flagbearer for Oredo may still come from a higher court.