A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday July 8, 2026, dismissed a suit challenging the emergence and candidacy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC Rivers State governorship candidate, Opuada (Alabo) Dumo Lulu-Briggs.
The suit, filed by another NDC aspirant, Kings Unyeawaji, who sought to nullify Lulu-Briggs’ victory at the party’s direct primary election, alleging exclusion from the process, also named the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as defendants and questioned the process that produced Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs as the party’s flagbearer.
Justice Muhammed Turaki, who presided over the matter, struck out the case after Unyeawaji’s counsel applied to discontinue the action, a move that was not contested by the defendants.
It could be recalled that Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs had emerged triumphant, in what observers from across the state who monitored the elections described as a landslide victory, after the May 29, 2026, NDC Rivers direct primary election to produce a candidate for the Governorship ticket of the state.
Mr. Kings Unyeawaji, a Rivers NDC governorship aspirant, had however approached the Court and filed a suit through an originating summons, challenging the emergence of Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs as the party’s governorship candidate and claiming that he was unlawfully excluded from the party’s governorship primary election.
Counsel to Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Barr. Ibim Dokubo, had challenged the Court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit and questioned the plaintiff’s locus standi to institute the action.
When the matter came up in court, the plaintiff, through his counsel, applied to discontinue the suit.
The defendants did not oppose the application and the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Turaki, consequently dismissed the case.
Speaking with journalists outside the courtroom, counsel to Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Ibim Dokubo, said the ruling cleared the way for his client to continue his governorship bid ahead of the 2027 election.
The NDC Rivers governorship candidate, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, writing on his verified social media handles, welcomed the court’s ruling and celebrated the legal victory, even as he hailed Justice Muhammed Turaki and the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt for handling the matter with the speed and clarity it deserved and expressed confidence ahead of the next phase of the electoral process, saying that the judgement symbolizes what NDC and his administration as Governor when elected, will bring to governance in Rivers State: “No delays where delays are not necessary; No confusion where clarity is required; Just decisive action and quick solutions for the people who are waiting, sometimes for years, for their government to simply work”.
The full statement by Opuda (Alabo) Dumo Lulu-Briggs, reads thus:
The suit against my candidacy, against our party, against the collective will of the people who stood behind me, has been dismissed.
I want to thank Justice Muhammed Turaki and the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt for handling this matter with the speed and clarity it deserved.
But I will not let this moment pass as just another legal victory.
Look closely at how quickly this was resolved. That efficiency is not an accident. It is a preview.
It tells you something about what we will bring to governance in Rivers State.
No delays where delays are not necessary.
No confusion where clarity is required.
Just decisive action and quick solutions for the people who are waiting, sometimes for years, for their government to simply work.
That is the standard I am bringing to this race, and it is the standard I will bring to government.
To those who challenged this process, I hold nothing against you.
Contest is part of democracy.
But now the coast is clear, and my attention returns fully to the people of Rivers State and the work ahead of us.
2027 is coming. And when we win, this transformation will not choose sides. It will lift everyone, friend and former opponent alike.
The work continues.
To God be the glory
#DLBLegacy
Meanwhile and in a related development, the Rivers State chapter of the NDC also welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, which dismissed the suit challenging the emergence of Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs as the party’s governorship candidate.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Media Directorate, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rivers State Chapter, which commended the judiciary for its commitment to justice and the rule of law, adding that the judgment reinforces confidence in the internal democratic processes of the NDC and paves the way for Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs to continue presenting his vision for a more prosperous, secure, and developed Rivers State.
The full statement from the Party reads:
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rivers State Chapter, has welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, presided over by Justice Muhammed Turaki, which dismissed the suit challenging the emergence of Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs as the party’s governorship candidate.
The case, filed by Kings Unyeawaji, was withdrawn by the plaintiff, leading the court to dismiss the matter and effectively bringing the legal challenge to a close.
This judgment reinforces confidence in the internal democratic processes of the NDC and paves the way for Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs to continue presenting his vision for a more prosperous, secure, and developed Rivers State.
The party commends the judiciary for its commitment to justice and the rule of law and expresses gratitude to party members, supporters, and the good people of Rivers State for their steadfast support throughout the proceedings.
As we move forward, the NDC calls on all members to remain united, focused, and dedicated to the collective goal of providing credible leadership and sustainable development for the people of Rivers State.
Signed
Media Directorate
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)
Rivers State Chapter