Senatorial Aspirant Sues NDC and INEC Over Imo North Ticket Dispute
A senatorial aspirant, Isaac Nwachukwu, has filed a lawsuit against the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State. The suit challenges the outcome of the party’s National Assembly primaries for the Imo North senatorial seat.
Nwachukwu, represented by counsel Cajethan Oguzie, alleges that the NDC denied him the senatorial ticket even though he emerged as the party’s consensus candidate. He claims he paid ₦5 million for the nomination form and an additional ₦20 million as a contribution to support the party’s growth.
According to an affidavit supporting the originating summons, Nwachukwu purchased the expression of interest form to contest the Imo North senatorial seat in the 2027 general election. He also deposited ₦20 million into the party’s FCMB account.
The aspirant states that irregularities arose when the ₦20 million he contributed was allegedly credited to another aspirant, Matthew Omegara, while Omegara’s ₦10 million contribution was allocated to him. He said this mix‑up was carried out by the screening committee headed by Sam Egwu and Buba Galadimma.
Nwachukwu insists he complied with all NDC directives, participated in the screening exercise, and was cleared to contest the primary. After his consensus candidacy was ratified, his name was shortlisted as the party’s candidate for Imo North.
He further alleges that, after being declared the winner of the primary, his name was replaced with that of Omegara. Additionally, he claims the NDC’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, summoned him to a meeting and informed him that his candidacy was affected because a party chieftain from his state said they did not know him.
In his suit, Nwachukwu asks the court to:
The case highlights ongoing concerns about internal party democracy and the transparency of nomination processes within Nigerian political parties.
