A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has granted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and one of its Rivers State House of Assembly aspirants leave to explore an out-of-court settlement over a dispute arising from the party’s primary election for the Khana Constituency I seat.
The suit was filed by ADC aspirant Legborsi Nwiabu, who is challenging what he described as his exclusion from the party’s primary election ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also joined in the suit are the ADC’s declared candidate for Khana Constituency I, Bright Nulee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
At Friday’s proceedings, counsel to the ADC, Emenike Ebete, informed the court that the party had constituted a committee to resolve issues surrounding the disputed primary. He urged the court to allow the parties to settle the matter outside the courtroom.
While counsel to the second and third respondents did not oppose the application, counsel to the plaintiff, Felix Beragbara, objected, arguing that his client had not been informed about the existence of any reconciliation committee.
After listening to submissions from both sides, Justice Muhammed Turaki granted the request for an out-of-court settlement and adjourned the case until August 12, 2026, for either a report on the settlement or continuation of hearing.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Beragbara alleged that his client was denied a fair opportunity to participate in the party’s primary.
According to him, the ADC primary, originally scheduled for May 21, 2026, was postponed to the following day. He said Nwiabu mobilised supporters and agents across the 11 wards of Khana Constituency I, but no election officials or INEC monitors arrived to conduct the exercise.
Beragbara maintained that despite the failure to hold the primary, the party allegedly declared Bright Nulee as its candidate and forwarded his name to INEC without conducting any election.
He added that Nwiabu had petitioned the party’s appeals committee, requesting a fresh primary, but his complaint was ignored, prompting him to seek judicial intervention.
The plaintiff’s counsel said his client remains open to an amicable resolution but is prepared to pursue the case if the reconciliation committee fails to address his grievances.
Counsel to the ADC, the second respondent, and INEC declined to comment on the matter after the court session.
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