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Port Harcourt, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has struck out a lawsuit seeking to nullify the emergence of Dumo Lulu-Briggs as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), following a formal application by the plaintiff to discontinue the proceedings.

The suit was originally filed by Kings Unyeawaji, an aspirant within the NDC, who alleged that he was unlawfully excluded from the party’s governorship primary. He named the party, its chairman, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Lulu-Briggs as defendants, asking the court to void Lulu-Briggs’ candidacy.

However, when the matter came up before Justice Muhammed Turaki, the plaintiff’s counsel applied to withdraw the case. With no opposition from the defendants, the judge dismissed the suit.

Earlier, Lulu-Briggs’ legal team, led by Ibim Dokubo, had vigorously challenged both the court’s jurisdiction and the plaintiff’s legal standing. Dokubo argued that Unyeawaji lacked the locus standi to bring the action because he did not participate in the primary election. He further contended that the suit was filed outside the statutory 14-day window prescribed for complaints arising from party primaries.

Speaking after the court’s ruling, Lulu-Briggs welcomed the outcome and praised the plaintiff for choosing a peaceful resolution.

“I thank him for allowing the matter to rest. My hope is that in 2027, everyone who contests the election will accept the outcome in good faith,” he said.

Striking a conciliatory tone, the NDC candidate urged political actors in Rivers State to prioritize unity and fair play.

“We are all Rivers people. There are no monsters among us. Let us go to the field, contest on a level playing ground, and allow the people to decide,” Lulu-Briggs added.

With the legal hurdle now cleared, Lulu-Briggs remains the NDC’s standard-bearer for the upcoming governorship race, as attention shifts to the broader political contest ahead of the 2027 elections.