An aspirant for the Imo North Senatorial District seat under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Isaac Nwachukwu, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Owerri, challenging what he describes as the unlawful substitution of his name as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.
Nwachukwu is asking the court to recognise him as the duly nominated NDC candidate and prevent the party from presenting any other aspirant for the senatorial contest.
In the suit, the aspirant named both the NDC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
Allegations of Unlawful Substitution
According to court documents, Nwachukwu claimed he paid ₦25 million during the party’s nomination process, including ₦20 million as party support funds and ₦5 million for the nomination form.
He alleged that after fulfilling all requirements and participating in the party’s screening exercise, he emerged as the consensus candidate for the Imo North senatorial ticket.
The aspirant further stated that his candidacy was ratified by relevant party stakeholders before his name was allegedly replaced with that of another contender.
Nwachukwu is seeking a declaration affirming him as the authentic NDC candidate for the district. He also wants the court to restrain INEC from accepting or recognising any other candidate submitted by the party pending the determination of the case.
Claims of Internal Irregularities
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Nwachukwu alleged that irregularities marred the party’s internal process. He claimed that funds contributed by aspirants were improperly handled and that political considerations were later introduced despite the consensus arrangement previously reached.
According to him, concerns about his growing popularity and electoral prospects were raised during a subsequent meeting, leading to the decision to remove his name from the list of candidates.
Party Yet to Respond
Reacting to the development, the NDC’s spokesperson in Imo State, Dr. Charles Akano, declined to comment on the matter.
He said he had not received authorisation from party leadership to speak publicly on the lawsuit.
“I have tried to reach party leaders in Imo State, but I have not been able to get their response. At this moment, I am not authorised to comment on the issue,” Akano said.
Growing Internal Challenges
The lawsuit adds to a series of internal disputes that have emerged within political parties as preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum.
The Federal High Court is expected to determine whether Nwachukwu’s claims have sufficient merit to warrant judicial intervention in the party’s candidate selection process.
The NDC and INEC have yet to file their formal responses to the suit.
