Onyeka Wins as Court Orders APC to Recognise Him as Nnewi Federal Constituency Candidate

By David Onwuchekwa

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has affirmed Chief Vin Onyeka as the duly elected All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election.

The judgment, delivered on October 26, 2026, by Honourable Justice M.G. Umar in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1513/2026, upheld Onyeka’s victory in the APC direct primary election conducted on May 16, 2026.

In a statement following the judgment, Onyeka said the court affirmed him as the only validly elected candidate from the primary and directed the APC to submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its duly nominated candidate for the 2027 general election.

He disclosed that the court found that his name had been unlawfully substituted, consequently directing INEC to recognise and accept him as the party’s candidate.

The judgment also restrained the defendants from recognising or presenting the substituted candidate as the APC candidate for the federal constituency.

“An order directing the 2nd Defendant to forthwith transmit/submit the name of the Plaintiff, Vincent Onyeka, as its duly nominated and validly elected candidate for the House of Representatives Election for Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in Anambra State to the 3rd Defendant for the 2027 General Elections, having emerged winner of the Primary Election of the 2nd Defendant held on the 16th of May, 2026 and discovered that his name was unlawfully substituted on the 18th of May, 2026 by the 2nd Defendant at its National Headquarters/Secretariat at No. 40 Blantyre Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.

“An order of mandatory injunction directing the 3rd Defendant to recognize and accept the name of the Plaintiff, Vincent Onyeka, as the candidate of the 2nd Defendant for the House of Representatives Election for Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in Anambra State for the 2027 General Elections.

“An order of Perpetual Injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants, their servants, agents, privies or howsoever described from recognizing, accepting, publishing or acting upon the name of the 1st Defendant as the candidate of the 2nd Defendant for the House of Representatives Election for Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in Anambra State for the 2027 General Elections, “the judgment read in part.

Describing the ruling as a triumph of justice and democratic principles, Onyeka declared: “The court has spoken, and justice has prevailed.”

He said the judgment was not merely a personal legal victory but an affirmation of due process and the right of party members to have their electoral choices respected.

The APC candidate expressed appreciation to party faithful, supporters, political associates, family members, friends and well-wishers who stood by him throughout the legal battle.

He particularly commended their patience, encouragement and confidence in the judicial process, noting that their support had remained invaluable during the challenging period.

Onyeka, however, called on his supporters and constituents to remain calm, peaceful and committed to the democratic process as the political process enters its next phase.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the people of Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo, urging them to uphold unity, mutual respect and accountability.

“The judgment is public, the court’s orders are clear, and the record speaks for itself,” he added.

The ruling is a significant development in the political contest for the Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general election.

The suit was between Vin Onyeka as plaintiff and Dame Princess Esomeju Nwafor-Orizu, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as first, second and third defendants.