Court fixes July 6 for Delta APC suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja has set July 6 for a definitive hearing concerning a lawsuit that challenges the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Delta South Senatorial District. Justice Mohammed Umar scheduled the date after the plaintiff's counsel requested an adjournment to respond to the defense statement filed by the first defendant, Senator Joel Onowakpo.

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although the defence had been filed since June 24, it was only served on him shortly before Wednesday’s proceedings, leaving him with insufficient time to file a reply.

Counsel for the plaintiff, Mr. Bankole Akomolafe, representing Michael Diden, a former Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, informed the court that the defense statement was filed recently, leaving insufficient time to prepare a reply. The matter was originally slated for hearing, and Akomolafe indicated readiness to proceed after a brief adjournment to file his response.

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asking the court to declare him the winner of the APC direct primary conducted on May 18, 2026, for the Delta South Senatorial District, alleging that he polled the highest number of lawful votes.

Diden is seeking a court declaration naming him the winner of the APC direct primary held on May 18, 2026, for the Delta South Senatorial District. He alleges that Senator Onowakpo improperly declared himself the victor by relying on what Diden describes as forged results. The lawsuit names Senator Onowakpo, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission as defendants.

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Onowakpo unlawfully declared himself winner of the primary by relying on what he described as forged results.

In his statement of claim, Diden contends that the APC National Working Committee had directed that the collation and announcement of primary election results should occur only in Abuja. However, he claims that Onowakpo announced himself the winner through various media platforms, contrary to this directive. Diden further alleges manipulation of results, asserting that authentic ward results from the eight local government areas within the senatorial district show he secured 96,893 votes, compared to Onowakpo's 31,918 votes.

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contrary to that directive, the first defendant announced himself winner through various media platforms.