“There’s a Court of Appeal, There’s a Supreme Court; Hope Uzodimma’s Name Remains on Ballot”—Enyinna Onuegbu

According to a report by Channels TV, on Monday November 2, 2026, amid intense legal and political disputes surrounding candidate representation, legal practitioner and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Imo State Governor, Enyinna Onuegbu, has clarified the legal position governing electoral ballots under Nigerian law.

Addressing speculations on media platforms, Onuegbu emphasized that ongoing litigation does not automatically warrant the immediate removal of a submitted candidate’s name until all legal avenues are exhausted.

Breaking down the statutory provisions guiding candidate listings and judicial processes, Onuegbu pointed out that preliminary judgments are subject to higher legal scrutiny before any definitive action can be taken by the electoral umpire:

“Well, when your opening statement you said, ‘Hope Uzodimma name will not be on the ballot.’ No, there are two rungs of court after that. There’s a Court of Appeal, there’s a Supreme Court, and the Electoral Act clearly says despite that judgment you are talking about, the name already submitted by the party remains there until a final determination of the dispute by the last court. So it’s wrong to say Hope Uzodimma name will not be on the ballot.”