A Federal High Court sitting in Enugu has nullified the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary election for Enugu West Senatorial District, declaring that no valid primary was conducted and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard Hon. Uche Eneh’s name as the party’s candidate.
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Segun-Bello in suit No. FHC/EN/C’S/153/2026, followed a challenge by Barr. Ugochi Ohajekwe, who is aligned with the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led Enugu State Working Committee of the party.
The court held that the NDC National Working Committee, the body authorised to conduct the primary under the Electoral Act, did not organise the exercise in the senatorial district on May 29, 2026.
Justice Segun-Bello also ruled that the primary conducted by the state working committee was invalid, as the committee lacked the legal authority to organise the exercise.
The judge consequently held that no valid primary election was conducted by the NDC for the Enugu West Senatorial District.
Ohajekwe, through her counsel, Kelvin Eya, Esq., had approached the court, arguing that the party’s national leadership did not conduct a valid primary election in Enugu State.
She maintained that the only primary held was organised by the state chapter under the leadership of Dr. Johnpaul Anih and challenged the process through which Eneh emerged as the party’s senatorial candidate.
The court also nullified INEC’s publication of Eneh’s name and directed the commission to disregard him as the NDC candidate for the senatorial district.
The judgment came barely days after another Federal High Court sitting in Abuja removed Hon. John Nwokeabia as the NDC candidate for Awgu/Aninri/Oji River Federal Constituency and declared Hon. Chijioke Okereke the duly elected candidate.
Reacting to the judgment, the State Secretary of the party, Dr. Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor, described it as a victory for democracy.
He accused the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) of working against the presidential ambition of Mr. Peter Obi, arguing that its failure to conduct any primary election in the state or initiate a meaningful reconciliation process had further exposed its undemocratic disposition.
Okafor said the judgment had vindicated the position of the state leadership, adding that although the ruling might appear to be a setback for the party, it would strengthen internal democracy and discourage party leaders from violating the rights of members.
He maintained that the judiciary had once again demonstrated that no individual or group was above the law, stressing that political parties must uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, equity and respect for members’ rights.
He described the judgment as a clear warning to party leaders who seek to impose candidates without adhering to due process.
Okafor further warned that the continued disregard for the Electoral Act and the legitimate aspirations of party members could erode public confidence in the democratic process.
The latest ruling represents another setback for the NDC’s national leadership amid continuing disputes over the party’s candidate-selection process in Enugu State.
