An aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Rivers State House of Assembly, Khana Constituency I seat, Legborsi Nwiabu, has filed a lawsuit against his party, the declared candidate Bright Nulee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over alleged exclusion from the party’s primary election. The case was heard in the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, where the court granted leave for the parties to attempt an out-of-court settlement. The matter has been adjourned until August 12, 2026, for a report on the settlement or further hearing.
The primary election for the ADC was scheduled for May 21, 2026, but was reportedly rescheduled to May 22, 2026. Nwiabu, who was actively campaigning and had deployed field agents across all 11 wards in Khana Constituency I, waited throughout the day for the election to commence. However, no ADC officials or INEC monitoring officers appeared at any of the polling centres. As a result, the election did not take place, leaving Nwiabu and his supporters without a chance to participate.
Counsel to Nwiabu, Felix Beragbara, told the court that his client formally petitioned the party’s appeals committee to conduct a fresh primary. The committee ignored the petition and instead declared Bright Nulee as the party’s candidate, forwarding his name to INEC without holding a valid election. Beragbara argued that this process was unfair and legally flawed, and that Nwiabu’s right to a fair primary was violated.
When the case came up for hearing on Friday, counsel for the ADC, Emenike Ebete, informed the court that a committee had been formed to resolve the dispute and requested permission for the parties to settle the matter amicably. The request was not opposed by counsel for the second and third respondents. However, Beragbara opposed the motion, stating that his client had not been notified of the committee’s formation and therefore could not meaningfully participate in any settlement process.
Justice Muhammed Turaki, presiding over the case, granted the court’s leave for the out-of-court settlement but emphasized that the matter would return to court if no resolution was reached. Beragbara told journalists outside the courtroom that Nwiabu remains ready to return to court if the committee fails to deliver justice. He reiterated that the primary was never conducted and that Nulee’s nomination was illegitimate.
Counsel for the ADC, Bright Nulee, and INEC all declined to comment on the proceedings. The case highlights growing concerns over the integrity of party primaries in Nigeria’s 2027 general election cycle. As the political season intensifies, this legal battle may set a precedent for how disputes over party nominations are handled in the months ahead.
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