Ebonyi: Court upholds Ekumankama as APC candidate, dismisses Igariwey’s suit

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The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, has dismissed a pre-election suit challenging the emergence of former Minister of State for Health, Dr Joseph Ekumankama, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election.

The suit, filed by Idu Igariwey, a contestant in the APC primary election, sought to nullify Ekumankama’s emergence and compel the party to recognise him as its duly nominated candidate for the constituency.

The plaintiff had joined the APC, Ekumankama and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants in the suit.

Delivering judgment Tuesday, Justice Hilary Ide Oshomah dismissed the suit, holding that the plaintiff’s case lacked merit.

Igariwey had prayed the court to restrain the APC and Ekumankama from presenting, sponsoring or recognising the former minister as its candidate for the Afikpo/Edda constituency in the 2027 election.

He also sought an order directing the APC to recognise and publish him as its candidate and compelling INEC to accept him as the party’s nominee in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.

The court, however, rejected the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, thereby leaving Ekumankama’s emergence from the APC primary election undisturbed.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel to Ekumankama, Roy O. Umahi Nwaeze, SAN, described the ruling as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.

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