Court of Appeal Upholds High Court Judgment in Abia PDP Primaries Dispute, Affirms Enyinnaya Ogbu’s Claims

A major legal battle arising from the conduct of ward and local government primaries ahead of the 2024 Abia State Local Government Elections has been decisively settled, as the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri has upheld the judgment of the High Court of Abia State in favour of Enyinnaya Ogbu.

Delivering its verdict on March 30, 2026, the appellate court dismissed the appeal filed against the earlier ruling of the Bende Judicial Division of the High Court, thereby affirming the decision that had validated Ogbu’s claims and nullified objections raised by the opposing parties.

The case stemmed from controversies surrounding the conduct of party congresses and primaries, as well as the submission of chairmanship and councillorship candidates to the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC). Ogbu had challenged the process, alleging that certain individuals acted in defiance of due process and subsisting court orders by conducting parallel primaries and forwarding an unauthorized list of candidates, effectively excluding him from participating in the electoral process.

In its original ruling, the High Court dismissed preliminary objections challenging the competence of the suit and went on to determine the substantive issues in Ogbu’s favour. The court held that the matter was justiciable and could not be dismissed as an internal party affair, particularly where allegations of illegality and disobedience to court orders were involved. It further emphasized that allowing such actions would erode the rule of law and promote disorder.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, the defendants proceeded to the Court of Appeal, contesting both the procedural and substantive decisions of the lower court. However, the appellate court found no merit in the appeal, ruling that the High Court acted within its jurisdiction and that the claims brought before it were valid. Consequently, the earlier judgment remains binding and enforceable.

The ruling has been widely interpreted as a strong reaffirmation of the supremacy of the rule of law in political processes, underscoring that no individual or group is above legal scrutiny, even within party affairs. It also reinforces the principle that political activities must adhere strictly to due process and respect for judicial authority.

Reacting to the judgment, Ogbu urged party members, stakeholders, and supporters across Ukwa East Local Government Area and Abia State to remain calm and law-abiding. He called for unity and a renewed commitment to democratic principles, internal party discipline, and respect for legal processes, stressing that the matter was rooted in the pursuit of justice and fairness rather than personal victory.

He also expressed appreciation to his legal team for their professionalism and dedication, as well as to supporters who stood by him throughout the legal proceedings. He attributed the successful outcome to perseverance and faith, while urging all concerned parties to align with the subsisting judgment as the authoritative legal position on the matter.

With the Court of Appeal’s decision, the legal contest over the disputed primaries appears conclusively settled, placing a firm judicial stamp on the necessity for transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to due process in Nigeria’s democratic system.