An aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for the Rivers State House of Assembly, Khana Constituency I seat, Legborsi Nwiabu, has taken his party before a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, alleging that he was excluded from the party’s last primary election.
Also named as respondents in the suit are the ADC’s declared candidate for the Khana Constituency I seat in the 2027 general election, Bright Nulee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
When the matter came up for hearing on Friday, counsel to the ADC, Emenike Ebete, informed the court that a committee had been set up to resolve issues arising from the disputed primary and orally sought the court’s leave to allow the parties to settle the matter out of court.
The application was not opposed by counsel to the second and third respondents.
However, counsel to the plaintiff, Felix Beragbara, opposed the request, telling the court that his client had not been informed of any such committee.
The presiding judge, Justice Muhammed Turaki, after hearing submissions from both sides, granted leave for the parties to pursue an out-of-court settlement and adjourned the matter until August 12, 2026, for a report on the settlement or, alternatively, for hearing of the suit.
Addressing journalists outside the courtroom, Beragbara explained the circumstances that prompted his client to seek redress in court, adding that his client remained prepared to return to court should the committee fail to deliver justice in the matter.
“My client was cheated out of the primaries of his party, which were scheduled to be conducted on the 21st day of May 2026.
“You must be aware that almost all the political parties conducted their primaries in May 2026. My client’s political party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also conducted its primaries, and my client was an aspirant seeking the party’s nomination for the House of Assembly seat for Khana Constituency I in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“That election was scheduled to be held nationwide on the 21st of May 2026.
“Unfortunately, the election could not be held on that date. It was rescheduled—or purportedly rescheduled—to the next day, May 22, 2026. My client mobilised his supporters, sent his field agents, and deployed them to all the voting centres across the 11 wards that make up Khana Constituency I.
“My client and his supporters, who are members of the ADC, waited from the morning, when accreditation was scheduled to commence, until nightfall.
“They did not see a single ADC official who came to conduct the election. They also did not see any monitoring officer from the third defendant in this suit.
“So the first defendant, my client’s political party, failed to conduct the primaries. My client then petitioned the appeals committee, stating that the election did not hold and asking them to conduct another election so that the party could have a legitimate candidate.
“They ignored my client’s complaint. What my client later heard was that they had declared the second defendant, Mr Bright Nulee, as the party’s candidate and forwarded his name to the third defendant, INEC, without conducting the election.
“That is why my client is in court to challenge the purported primary that produced the purported candidate. That is why we are here today.”
Meanwhile, counsel to the ADC, Emenike Ebete; counsel to the second respondent, B. F. Opara; and counsel representing INEC all declined to comment on the court proceedings.
Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare continued his impressive goalscoring form, netting his seventh goal of the season as AFC Ajax were held to a 1-1 draw by NEC Nijmegen in their Dutch Eredivisie encounter at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam.
Sports247 reports that the Super Eagles forward wasted little time making his presence felt, opening the scoring in the seventh minute to give Ajax an early advantage in front of their home supporters.
Arokodare finished off an attacking move created by Jorthy Mokio, whose assist provided the Nigerian striker with the opportunity to register another important goal in his campaign.
The early breakthrough appeared to put Ajax in control, with the Amsterdam giants hoping to capitalise on their advantage and secure maximum points.
However, NEC Nijmegen responded just 12 minutes later when Tjaronn Chery converted from the penalty spot in the 19th minute to restore parity.
The equaliser brought the visitors back into the contest and ensured that both teams remained level despite Ajax’s promising start.
With the scoreline standing at 1-1, the hosts were unable to find another breakthrough, eventually settling for a share of the points at the Johan Cruijff Arena.
For Arokodare, the goal represented another significant contribution in what has been a productive season in front of goal.
The Nigerian international has continued to demonstrate his ability to find scoring opportunities and convert chances, with his seventh goal further underlining his importance to Ajax’s attacking ambitions.
Despite his individual success, the result will be disappointing for the Amsterdam-based club, which failed to turn an early advantage into a victory.
Following the draw, Ajax occupy fifth position in the Eredivisie standings with 15 points, five points behind league leaders Feyenoord.
The gap highlights the importance of securing victories as Ajax look to maintain their challenge near the top of the Dutch league table.
While the dropped points represent a setback for the hosts, Arokodare’s goalscoring consistency remains a positive development as the campaign progresses.
The Nigerian striker will now be hoping to maintain his impressive form and help Ajax return to winning ways in their upcoming fixtures.
For Nigerian football followers, Arokodare’s latest goal provides another encouraging sign of his attacking qualities, even though his contribution was not enough to secure all three points.
Seven goals and counting — Arokodare continues to deliver in front of goal, but Ajax must find greater consistency to close the gap on the Eredivisie leaders.