A senatorial aspirant for Imo North, Isaac Nwachukwu, has dragged the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Federal High Court in Owerri over the party’s decision not to recognise him as its candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Nwachukwu alleged that despite emerging as the consensus candidate and fulfilling the party’s requirements, including payment of nomination and support fees, his name was replaced with that of another aspirant.
In the suit filed through his counsel, C.J. Oguzie, the aspirant is seeking a court declaration affirming him as the rightful NDC candidate for the Imo North Senatorial District and restraining the party from presenting any other candidate for the election.
He further asked the court to prevent INEC from recognising any other candidate pending the determination of the case.
According to court documents, Nwachukwu claimed he purchased the party’s expression of interest form, contributed funds towards party activities, participated in the screening process, and was subsequently cleared and shortlisted as the consensus candidate before his alleged substitution.
The plaintiff also alleged that political influence from prominent stakeholders within the state contributed to the decision to replace his candidacy.
He is seeking an order compelling the NDC to issue him a certificate of return as the party’s senatorial candidate for Imo North ahead of the 2027 elections.
The case is expected to test the legality of the party’s candidate selection process as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
