The Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned until October 27, 2026, for hearing in a suit filed by an aspirant for the Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency seat, Azubike Umeadi, challenging the alleged substitution of his name by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) with that of Olawande Folarin as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.
Umeadi claims he won the NDC’s direct primary election held on May 29, 2026, and is asking the court to nullify Folarin’s nomination and compel the party to submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its duly nominated candidate.
The suit also names NDC National Chairman, Seriake Dickson, and two other defendants.
The matter came up on Friday before Justice Daniel Osiagor for a report of service.
Counsel to Umeadi, Emeka Okpoko (SAN), told the court that the defendants had been served with the originating processes and urged the judge to fix an early hearing date.
Defence counsel, Ruben Egwuaba, however, told the court that he had only just received the processes and needed time to respond.
Justice Osiagor subsequently adjourned the matter until October 27 and directed the parties to ensure that their respective processes are filed before the next sitting.
In his originating summons, Umeadi is asking the court to determine whether the NDC acted lawfully by submitting Folarin’s name to INEC despite allegedly declaring him the winner of the party’s direct primary for the constituency.
The aspirant is relying on Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and Article 16.04(i) of the NDC Constitution in challenging the party’s handling of the nomination process.
In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Umeadi stated that he is a registered member of the NDC and participated in the direct primary conducted on May 29 to select the party’s candidate for Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency.
He claimed that he emerged as the winner and was declared and returned as the winner of the primary.
Umeadi cited documents which he said support his claim, including a May 30, 2026 letter from the party’s electoral committee confirming the outcome of the primary, a report by the Lagos State chairman of the party, and a report by the electoral committee chairman and returning officer.
According to his affidavit, Umeadi later discovered that the party had submitted Folarin’s name to INEC as its candidate for the constituency.
He said he became aware of the alleged substitution when INEC published its list of candidates for the 2027 general election on or about September 14, 2026, with Folarin listed as the NDC candidate for Amuwo-Odofin.
Umeadi further alleged that he had earlier sought clarification from the party after receiving reports that Folarin’s name had been submitted, but received no response.
He also claimed that he formally petitioned the party over the disputed nomination, asking that Folarin’s name be withdrawn and his own name submitted to INEC, but that the party leadership failed or refused to resolve the complaint.
The plaintiff is therefore asking the court to declare that the alleged substitution contravened the Electoral Act and the NDC Constitution.
He is also seeking an order declaring him the rightful NDC candidate for Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election.
Among other reliefs, Umeadi wants the court to set aside Folarin’s purported nomination as unlawful, null and void, and restrain the NDC, Dickson and INEC from recognising or acting on the disputed nomination.
Alternatively, he is asking the court to order the NDC to withdraw Folarin’s name and submit his own as the duly nominated candidate, or conduct a fresh direct primary election for the constituency.
The defendants are yet to respond to the substance of the allegations before the court. The case is expected to return on October 27 for further proceedings.