Odebala Sues NDC Over Delta Governorship Primary Results

Hon. Ejaife Omizu Odebala has initiated legal proceedings against the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and four other respondents regarding the NDC's governorship primary election results. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1636/2026, was filed in Abuja on July 29, 2026, by a legal team led by Fredricks Itula, SAN.

Odebala seeks a court declaration to recognize him as the rightful winner of the primary held on May 29, 2026, asserting that the NDC cannot submit any other candidate's name, including Chris Iyavwoye's, to INEC for the 2027 governorship election. He claims that the primary was conducted in 24 out of 25 local government areas (LGAs) and that no final results were submitted to INEC.

Odebala argues that a proper collation would show he received 15,454 votes compared to Iyavwoye's 12,015 votes. He contends that he would suffer significant prejudice if INEC recognizes Iyavwoye as the candidate.

The case is presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu and is adjourned to September 7, 2026, for further proceedings.