OWERRI, Nigeria – An Imo North senatorial aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Isaac Nwachukwu, has dragged the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before a Federal High Court in Owerri over the outcome of the party’s National Assembly primaries.
Nwachukwu, through his counsel, Cajethan Oguzie, is challenging what he describes as the unlawful denial of the party’s Imo North senatorial ticket despite allegedly emerging as the consensus candidate and paying the required nomination fees.
According to court documents, the aspirant said he purchased the party’s expression of interest form for N5 million and also made a N20 million contribution to support the party’s activities.
He alleged that irregularities emerged during the screening process when his N20 million contribution was allegedly credited to another aspirant, Matthew Omegara, while Omegara’s reported N10 million contribution was allocated to him.
Nwachukwu further claimed that after successfully scaling the screening exercise and being ratified as the consensus candidate for Imo North Senatorial District, his name was subsequently replaced with that of another aspirant.
The suit seeks several declarations from the court, including recognition of Nwachukwu as the valid consensus candidate of the NDC for the Imo North Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general election.
He is also asking the court to restrain the NDC from presenting any other candidate for the seat and to prevent INEC from recognising or accepting the candidature of any other individual pending the determination of the case.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the suit, Nwachukwu alleged that the party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson, informed him during a meeting that his candidature had become an issue after a party leader from Imo State reportedly claimed not to know him.
The aspirant is further seeking an order compelling the NDC to issue him a certificate of return as the party’s candidate for Imo North Senatorial District.
The case adds to growing legal disputes arising from the NDC’s recent primaries in several states, with some aspirants alleging irregularities in the selection process.
Neither the NDC nor INEC had publicly responded to the claims at the time of filing this report.
Peoplesmind will continue to monitor proceedings and provide updates as the matter progresses in court.
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