By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Cross River State have urged party members to sheathe their swords and unite behind Mr. Oden Ewa, following a Federal High Court judgment declaring him the authentic winner of the party’s Central Senatorial primary election.
A party chieftain, Chief Obeten Emmanuel Obeten, said the judgment had settled the matter.
“The court has finally spoken, confirming Oden Ewa as the truly elected representative of the Central. I advise all to sheathe their swords for peace to reign.
We have only barely three months to election. So let’s come together and deliver APC candidates,” he said.
Another stakeholder from Ikom Local Government Area, Ntufam Justine Agbor, said the ruling had given legal backing to Ewa’s victory.
“Again, the court has added legal backing to Ewa’s election. It is an indication that he is the people’s choice.
“This is the auspicious time for the electorate to come out en masse and vote for APC candidates. Ewa has the capacity and the zeal to represent us at the National Assembly,” he said.
The reactions followed the judgment delivered on Thursday, November 12, 2026, by Justice M. G. Umar of Court 5, Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1096/2026, between Barr. Mary Ogoba Ekpere and Oden Ibiang Ewa and two others.
Ekpere had gone to court to challenge the processes that led to Ewa’s declaration as winner of the primary held on May 16, 2026.
Dismissing the suit, the court upheld the preliminary objections of the first and second defendants in their entirety.
The court held, in substance, that the suit was statute-barred and, consequently, incompetent.
“The plaintiff has no reasonable cause of action, as the subject matter relates to a pre-primary election dispute concerning the screening of aspirants, which falls strictly within the internal affairs and internal democratic processes of the political party,” the court held.
It added that the plaintiff lacked the requisite locus standi to institute the action, having not participated in the party’s primary election, and that the institution and maintenance of the suit amounted to an abuse of court process.
“The judgment is a favourable outcome for the defendants,” the court said.
Speaking after the judgment, Ewa’s counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, said his client had always maintained that the suit had no merit.
“We have always maintained that Oden Ewa has no case, and this is just a case of try your luck. Fortunately, the court has consigned the suit to the judicial abyss,” he said.
He advised the plaintiff against appealing the judgment.
“I think the plaintiff should learn and not go on appeal, as we shall be seeking substantial cost if they appeal,” he added.
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