A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the emergence of Dumo Lulu-Briggs as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after the plaintiff formally applied to withdraw the case.
The suit, instituted by Kings Unyeawaji, an aspirant on the platform of the NDC, sought to invalidate the party’s governorship primary and nullify the nomination of Lulu-Briggs as the party’s flag bearer for the forthcoming governorship election.
Unyeawaji had joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, its National Chairman, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Dumo Lulu-Briggs as defendants in the matter. He alleged that he was unlawfully excluded from participating in the party’s governorship primary and argued that the process leading to Lulu-Briggs’ emergence did not comply with the provisions governing party primaries.
The plaintiff urged the court to set aside the outcome of the primary election and declare the nomination of Lulu-Briggs invalid.
However, during the proceedings, counsel to Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Ibim Dokubo, mounted a strong legal challenge against the suit, questioning both the competence of the action and the legal standing of the plaintiff to institute the case.
Dokubo argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter because the plaintiff failed to satisfy the conditions required to challenge the outcome of the party’s primary election.
According to him, Unyeawaji lacked the necessary locus standi, having not participated in the governorship primary that produced Lulu-Briggs as the party’s candidate.
He further submitted that only individuals who took part in the primary election possess the legal right to challenge its outcome before the court.
The defence also raised the issue of limitation, contending that the suit was filed outside the statutory period prescribed by law for disputes arising from political party primaries.
Dokubo argued that the Electoral Act provides a strict 14-day window within which aggrieved aspirants may approach the court to challenge the conduct or outcome of party primaries.
He maintained that the plaintiff commenced the action after the expiration of the legally stipulated period, rendering the suit incompetent and robbing the court of jurisdiction to entertain it.
When the matter came up for hearing before Justice Muhammed Turaki, counsel representing the plaintiff informed the court that his client had decided to discontinue the case and consequently applied for its withdrawal.
The application to discontinue the suit was not opposed by any of the defendants.
Following the unchallenged application, Justice Turaki struck out the matter and formally dismissed the suit, bringing the legal challenge against Lulu-Briggs’ candidacy to an end.
The dismissal effectively clears any pending judicial obstacle arising from the action regarding the emergence of Dumo Lulu-Briggs as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
Reacting to the court’s decision, Lulu-Briggs welcomed the development and commended the plaintiff for allowing the matter to end peacefully.
He described the withdrawal of the suit as a demonstration of political maturity and urged political stakeholders across Rivers State to adopt similar attitudes as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
“I thank him for allowing the matter to rest,” Lulu-Briggs said.
“My hope is that in 2027, everyone who contests the election will accept the outcome in good faith.”
The NDC governorship candidate stressed the need for peaceful political engagement, insisting that elections should be determined by the will of the electorate rather than prolonged legal disputes or political hostility.
According to him, Rivers State would benefit significantly if political actors embraced healthy competition, respected democratic principles and accepted the verdict of the people after elections.
“We are all Rivers people. There are no monsters among us. Let us go to the field, contest on a level playing ground, and allow the people to decide,” he stated.
Lulu-Briggs noted that democracy thrives when participants are willing to abide by established rules and respect the outcome of transparent electoral processes.
He expressed optimism that the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections would remain peaceful, enabling voters to freely choose leaders capable of advancing the state’s development.
The governorship hopeful also reiterated his commitment to pursuing policies aimed at transforming Rivers State if elected into office.
According to him, his administration would focus on unlocking the state’s enormous economic potential, creating opportunities for investment, generating employment and improving the overall welfare of residents.
He said Rivers possesses abundant human and natural resources capable of driving sustainable economic growth if properly harnessed through purposeful leadership and sound governance.
Lulu-Briggs pledged to work towards what he described as the liberation of Rivers State through people-centred policies that promote inclusive development, transparency and economic prosperity.
The dismissal of the suit comes as political activities continue to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties across the country intensifying preparations for the electoral contests.
Political observers have described the resolution of the case as a positive development for the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Rivers State, saying it removes legal uncertainty surrounding the party’s governorship ticket and allows its candidate to focus on campaign activities.
The outcome also underscores the judiciary’s continued role in resolving political disputes within the framework of the law while reinforcing the importance of adherence to statutory timelines governing election-related litigation.
