Jubilation in Onitsha as court affirms Idu NDC candidate, throws out rival petition

By Goodness Ndukuba, Awka

It was jubilation in Onitsha. Anambra State at the weekend, as Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, and Presided over by Hon. Justice M.G. Umar, affirmed Hon. Emeka Idu, currently representing Onitsha North and South Federal constituency, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate winner.

Hon. Abada Iwuchukwu, his rival has filed a petition against Idu’s candidature.

The Court having looked into the petition and submissions of counsels to both the plaintiff and respondent, ruled the result tendered by the petitioner was inadmissible, and he failed to prove he won the May 29, 2026 primary election.

Recalls that Iwuchukwu has challenged the outcome of the NDC primary election for the Onitsha North/ South Federal Constituency.

Delivering judgment in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1257/2026, Justice Umar held that the petition lacked merit.

The petitioner, Iwuchukwu, sued Hon. Idu, the NDC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying he won the primary election.

The court ruled that the result Iwuchukwu tendered in support of his claim was inadmissible, adding that without it, he was unable to prove that he won the primary conducted on May 29, 2026.

Justice Umar consequently affirmed Hon. Idu, the member currently representing Onitsha North/South Federal Constituency, the winner of the primary election.

Meanwhile, since the court affirmed Idu winner of the suit, it has been celebration in the constituency by constituents who described him as God-sent to curtail their hardship.

A constituent who identified himself as Okeke Onyeife. “We will vote Idu again because of his achievements in the area. He is not the talking type, but believes in eye mark not ear mark”.

Also another resident. Omenyi Madu, stressed “It is Emeka Idu, Sen. Tony Nwoye and Peter Obi that we know, every other candidate is not for us. Others are selfish people.”