A Federal High Court in Abuja has confirmed Chief Thomas Ereyitomi as the official All Progressives Congress candidate for the Warri federal constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections. Justice Mohammed Garba Umar presided over the case and ultimately dismissed the challenge filed by Dr. Ekpoto Emmanuel.
Dr. Emmanuel had initiated the lawsuit to contest Ereyitomi’s nomination and his subsequent registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission. The plaintiff argued that Ereyitomi should have been disqualified because he allegedly held dual membership with both the APC and the Nigeria Democracy Congress during the primary election held on May 16. As the runner-up in that primary, Dr. Emmanuel requested that the court declare him the rightful winner.
In his ruling, Justice Umar sided with the arguments presented by the defense. The judge declared that the internal membership policies of a political party remain outside the jurisdiction of the judiciary. Consequently, the court found the lawsuit to be non-justiciable and lacking in merit, leading to its total dismissal.
