A senatorial aspirant for Imo North under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Isaac Nwachukwu, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Owerri against the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), challenging what he described as the unlawful denial of the party’s ticket for the 2027 general election.
Through his counsel, C.J. Oguzie, Nwachukwu alleged that he emerged as the consensus candidate for the Imo North Senatorial District after purchasing the party’s nomination form and contributing a total of N25 million to the party.
According to court documents, the aspirant paid N5 million for the nomination form and an additional N20 million as financial support for the party, following directives from party officials.
Nwachukwu is seeking a court declaration affirming him as the duly recognised consensus candidate of the NDC for the Imo North Senatorial District. He also wants the court to restrain the party from presenting any other candidate and prevent INEC from recognising a different nominee pending the determination of the case.
The plaintiff alleged that although he successfully passed the party’s screening process and was initially shortlisted, his name was later replaced with that of another aspirant, Matthew Omegara.
He further claimed there were irregularities in the handling of funds contributed by aspirants and alleged that political influences played a role in the decision to substitute his candidacy.
The case is expected to test the internal nomination process of the NDC and could have significant implications for the party’s preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, neither the NDC nor INEC had officially responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
