Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electric Regulatory Commission, NERC, and chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Sam Amadi, has described the recent primary election conducted by the Imo State chapter of the NDC as marred by ticket racketeering and shortchanging of aspirants.

He accused some party officials of collecting money from aspirants in exchange for tickets.

Amadi raised the alarm while commenting on the outcome of the exercise, where he alleged that several aspirants who participated in the primaries had lodged complaints accusing some party officials of demanding and receiving payments without delivering tickets to them.

He hinted that many aspirants have been meeting him and complaining that some officials collected money from them.

Amadi called on the affected aspirants who allegedly made payments outside officially declared party fees to reach out to him, pledging to assist in recovering their funds.

“Please, if you are one of those who paid money to anyone apart from officially declared fees, contact me and let me recover your money,” he stated.

Describing the alleged practice as fraudulent, Amadi insisted that internal accountability within the party must be enforced, warning that such conduct undermines the integrity of the political process.

“There must be accountability for fraud. This is beyond politics. If you collected money for a transaction, then perform or refund political processes must not be commercialised,” Amadi added.

He reiterated his demand for transparency and responsibility within the party’s nomination process, insisting that there must be accountability.

An aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Innocent Ojike, has filed a suit challenging the outcome of the party’s primary election for the Oyi State Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general election.

Ojike, who currently represents Oyi Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, is contesting APGA’s declaration of Kosisochukwu Ibemesi as the winner of the primary election conducted on May 23, 2026.

The suit, marked FHC/AWK/CS/173/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court in Awka by his counsel, Reuben Atabo (SAN). APGA, Ibemesi and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were listed as defendants in the case.

According to the court filings dated June 4, Ojike claimed he secured the highest number of lawful votes cast during the primary election, polling 3,524 votes. He maintained that he was duly declared the winner by what he described as the legally recognised returning officer, Dr Nnewaluem James.

The lawmaker argued that he remains the lawful candidate of APGA for the Oyi State Constituency election and cited Section 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, in support of his claims.

Among the 12 reliefs sought, Ojike is asking the court to nullify APGA’s declaration of Ibemesi as the winner of the primary election, which was announced on May 25, 2026.

He is also seeking an order directing APGA to submit his name to INEC as the party’s candidate for Oyi Constituency in the 2027 general election. In addition, he wants INEC to accept, publish and recognise his candidature.

Ojike further requested the court to award N100 million in exemplary damages against APGA and Ibemesi.

The court is yet to fix a date for hearing in the matter.

The Lagos State chapter of the Accord Party has formally presented its candidates for the 2027 general elections, unveiling contenders for the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and Lagos State House of Assembly positions.

The party also reiterated its backing for Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate for the 2027 poll.

The unveiling ceremony, held in Lagos, saw 27 candidates receive Certificates of Return, officially confirming them as the party’s flag bearers for various elective offices across the state.

Addressing party members and supporters at the event, the Lagos State Chairman of the Accord Party, Dele Oladeji, said the presentation marked a major milestone in the party’s preparations for the next electoral cycle and signalled the commencement of its campaign activities.

Oladeji, who is also contesting for the Lagos West Senatorial seat, said the party was positioning itself as a credible alternative for voters seeking a different political direction in the state.

According to him, the Accord Party remains committed to policies centred on social justice, public welfare, security and inclusive governance, noting that many Lagos residents are eager for political transformation.

Several candidates used the occasion to outline their agenda, highlighting priorities such as infrastructural development, employment generation, transparency in governance and increased participation of women in leadership.

The party’s candidate for Lagos Central Senatorial District, Solomon Oladimeji Wahab, urged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and actively engage in the electoral process, while advocating credible and transparent elections.

Similarly, the Accord Party candidate for Badagry Federal Constituency, Joseph Taiwo Jehoshaphat, pledged to prioritise youth empowerment initiatives and attract developmental projects to the constituency if elected.

Also speaking, the party’s Lagos East Senatorial candidate, Blessing Maduka-Sunday, called for greater female representation in elective offices and stronger policies aimed at promoting women’s empowerment and economic participation.

Party leaders said the unveiling of candidates marks the beginning of an intensified mobilisation drive ahead of the 2027 elections, expressing confidence in the party’s ability to make a significant impact across Lagos State.

Supporters at the event also reaffirmed their support for Olawepo-Hashim, describing him as a leader capable of fostering national unity, driving economic growth and implementing reforms that would advance the country’s development.

The party maintained that growing interest in its activities reflects increasing political engagement among its members and supporters as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum nationwide.