Imo North Senatorial Hopeful Sues NDC, INEC Over Alleged Candidate Swap

Isaac Nwachukwu, an aspirant for the Imo North senatorial seat, has initiated legal proceedings against the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His suit, filed on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State, seeks a judicial order to affirm his candidacy for the party in the upcoming 2027 general election.

Nwachukwu contends that he was unjustly denied the party's ticket, despite having remitted a total of ₦25 million to the NDC. This sum, he explained, covered both party support (₦20 million) and the cost of the nomination form (₦5 million) for the Imo North Senatorial District ticket. The plaintiff further claims that his name was substituted with that of another aspirant, even after he had emerged as the consensus candidate among other contenders.

Among the specific declarations Nwachukwu is seeking from the court are:

* “A declaration that the plaintiff in this suit is the consensus candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Imo State with regard to the Imo North Senatorial Zone for the 2027 general election.”

* “A declaration that the first defendant (Nigeria Democratic Congress) be restrained from fielding any other candidate except the plaintiff in the election for the Imo North Senatorial Zone, as he is the consensus candidate for the said election.”

* “A declaration that the second defendant (Independent National Electoral Commission) be perpetually restrained from recognising and accepting the candidacy of any other person except the plaintiff in the Imo North Senatorial Zone election pending the determination of this matter.”

In an affidavit supporting his originating summons, Nwachukwu alleged that the funds he paid to the party were improperly allocated to a different aspirant, which he cited as an early sign of irregularities in the process. He stated, “That the first sign of irregularity and non-compliance with the NDC constitution and the Electoral Act came up when the ₦20 million I paid for party support was allocated to one of the aspirants in my senatorial district, Matthew Omegara, while the ₦10 million that Matthew Omegara paid for party support was allocated to me by the screening committee headed by His Excellency, Sam Egwu, and Buba Galadima.”

Nwachukwu also affirmed his compliance with party directives, stating, “That in compliance with NDC directives, I participated in the NDC screening exercise and was successfully cleared as an aspirant to participate in the primary election.” He further added, “That I purchased the expression of interest form to contest for the position of Senator representing Imo North Senatorial Zone. A copy of my expression of interest form is hereby annexed as Exhibit IU2.” He detailed his financial contribution: “That upon the purchase of the expression of interest form, I made a monetary contribution in support of the party’s growth in the sum of ₦20 million into the party’s FCMB account through my solicitor, Cajethan Oguzie. A copy of the receipt for the ₦20 million payment is hereby annexed as Exhibit IU3.” He concluded this section by noting, “That after my consensus candidacy was ratified, my name was shortlisted as the candidate for Imo North Senatorial District. A copy of the result is hereby annexed as Exhibit IU5.”

Despite having been declared the winner of the primary election, Nwachukwu reiterated his claim that his name was eventually replaced. He also recounted a meeting with the party’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, where he was reportedly informed that some Imo State party leaders had argued against his popularity to represent the party in the senatorial election. Consequently, the plaintiff is requesting the court to compel the NDC to issue him a certificate of return as its authentic candidate for the Imo North Senatorial District in the 2027 general election.

When contacted for comment, Dr Charles Akano, the NDC spokesperson in Imo State, initially requested time to secure authorization. However, after three hours, he confirmed he had not yet received approval to speak on the matter, stating, “I have tried to call party leaders in Imo State, but they did not take my calls. I’m afraid I do not have authorisation to speak on the issue yet.”