A Senatorial Aspirant, Isaac Nwachukwu, has dragged Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before a Federal High Court Sitting in Owerri, Imo State, over the fallout of the party’s National Assembly primaries.

Nwachukwu, in a suit filed through his Counsel, Cajethan Oguzie, accused the party of denying him the Imo North senatorial ticket after emerging a consensus candidate and paying N5m for the nomination form.

The suit also disclosed that Nwachukwu had paid N20m for the support of the party, but his support was unexplainably reduced to N10m when the list of those who supported the party was published.

The NDC Senatorial Aspirant, in his prayers before the court, demanded that a declaration should be made that he is the consensus candidate of the party in the state with regard to the Imo North Senatorial Zone in the 2027 General election.

“A declaration that the first defendant, NDC, be restrained from fielding another candidate except the plaintiff in the General election into the Imo North Senatorial Zone as he is the consensus candidate for the said election.

“A declaration that the second defendant, INEC, be perpetually restrained from recognising and accepting the candidacy of another person except the plaintiff in the Imo North Senatorial election pending the determination of the matter,” the suit stated.

In an affidavit supporting the originating summons, Nwachukwu stated that he purchased the expression of interest form to aspire for the position for Imo North senatorial zone, a copy of which is attached in the suit already filed.

The NDC Senatorial Aspirant added that upon the purchase of the form, he made a monetary contribution in support of the party’s growth in the tune of N20m into the party’s FCMB account number through his Counsel, receipt also attached in the suit as an exhibit.

“The first sign of irregularity and no compliance with the NDC constitution and electoral act came up when the N20m I paid for party support was allocated to one of the aspirants for my Senatorial District by the name Matthew Omegara, and the N10m that Matthew Omegara paid for party support was allocated to me by the Screening Committee headed by Sam Egwu and Buba Galadimma.

” In compliance with NDC’s directives, I participated in the NDC screening exercise and was successfully cleared as an aspirant to participate in the primary election.

After my consensus candidacy was ratified, my name was shortlisted as a Candidate for Imo North district. A copy of the result is hereby annexed as Exhibit 1U5,” the affidavit added.

Nwachukwu alleged that his name was substituted with Omegara after he had been declared the winner of the primary election.

The Imo North Senatorial Aspirant claimed that the National leader of the party, Seriake Dickson, had summoned him for a meeting telling him that his candidacy was affected after a party chieftain from his state said he didn’t know him.

Among other demands, Nwachukwu is asking the court to order NDC to issue him a certificate as its candidate for the Imo North Senatorial District.

Supporters and members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Anka and Talata Mafara Local Government Areas of Zamfara State have alleged attempts to manipulate the party’s membership records and card numbers ahead of internal political activities.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Gusau by Nura Rabiu Cibiki, Director of Media and Strategy, Campaign and Mobilisation Committee for Abdulrahaman Yahaya, an aspirant for the House of Representatives seat representing Anka/Talata Mafara Federal Constituency.

The group warned against any attempt to alter or duplicate legitimate membership figures, saying such actions could deepen tensions within the party in the constituency.

“We strongly oppose any move to manipulate or duplicate legitimate membership figures, warning that such actions would only worsen existing tensions within the party and the Anka/Talata Mafara Federal Constituency,” the statement said.

The supporters maintained that ADC members in Anka and Talata Mafara were aware of the party’s authentic membership strength and were prepared to protect the integrity of the party’s records.

The statement added that while justice may be delayed, the truth could not be denied.

Meanwhile, Yahaya has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Gusau challenging alleged irregularities in the party’s primary election process in the constituency.

The court has fixed June 23, 2026, for mention of the case.

Rufus Omeire, the Action Peoples Party, APP senatorial candidate for Imo West, Orlu in Imo State, has called on the National Judicial Council, NJC to immediately suspend Justice Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja over what he described as actions that undermine judicial hierarchy, the rule of law and can be detrimental to democracy.
In a statement on Tuesday, Omeire expressed concern that at a time when Nigerians are facing insecurity, economic hardship, and other pressing national challenges, judicial actions capable of creating uncertainty, tension, and anarchy should not be allowed to persist.

According to him, the Court of Appeal has consistently maintained that judges who fail to comply with the orders and decisions of superior courts are unfit to remain on the bench.

“As Nigerians continue to grapple with worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and other pressing national challenges, it is deeply troubling that Justice Lifu allegedly appears determined to create further uncertainty and tension through actions that undermine the rule of law and judicial hierarchy, which could lead to anarchy if unchecked,” he said.

Omeire argued that the National Judicial Council must act swiftly to protect the integrity of the judiciary.

“The Court of Appeal has consistently maintained that any judge who disobeys the order or decision of a superior court is unfit to remain on the bench. In light of this established judicial principle, the National Judicial Council must immediately suspend Justice Lifu and commence appropriate disciplinary proceedings,” he stated.

The APP chieftain reiterated that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and should be protected from conduct capable of eroding public confidence in the justice system.

“The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and must be protected from actions capable of eroding public confidence in the administration of justice. If a Federal High Court judge cannot obey the orders and decisions of superior courts, what moral authority would such a judge have to expect compliance with his own orders?” he asked.

Omeire further warned that failure to act decisively could encourage what he described as judicial recklessness.

“Failure to act decisively will send the wrong signal and encourage judicial recklessness. The suspension of Justice Lifu will serve as a deterrent to other judges who may be tempted to disregard established judicial procedures and the supremacy of higher courts,” he said.

He added that Nigeria’s democratic system should not be endangered by the actions of any individual.

“Our democracy has been built through years of sacrifice and must not be endangered by the conduct of any selfish and greedy individual, regardless of position,” Omeire said.

The senatorial candidate also used the opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the Action Peoples Party to addressing the challenges facing residents of Orlu Senatorial Zone, Imo State, and the country.

“As for our great party, the APP, the fastest-growing and most popular political party in Imo State today, we remain committed to constructive engagement and meaningful dialogue aimed at finding lasting solutions to the insecurity, economic hardship, and developmental challenges confronting our people,” he said.

“We will continue to promote policies and ideas that advance security, peace, unity, and prosperity in the Orlu Senatorial Zone, Imo State, and Nigeria at large,” Omeire, who represented Ideato North/Ideato South in 2007-2011 at the House of Representatives, added.

Recall that Justice Peter Lifu had issued a court judgment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the ADC, Action Peoples Party, APP; Action Alliance, AA; Accord Party, AP; and Zenith Labour Party, ZLP.

However, the ruling stirred controversy from opposition parties and Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday suspended the execution of the judgment by Justice Lifu.