News
Angry aspirant drags NDC to court over candidate substitution
A senatorial aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Isaac Nwachukwu, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, challenging what he described as the unlawful substitution of his candidacy for the Imo North Senatorial District ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
Nwachukwu is asking the court to recognise him as the authentic candidate of the party and restrain both the NDC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or recognising any other aspirant for the position pending the determination of the case.
In the suit, the plaintiff alleged that he emerged as the consensus candidate during the party’s selection process but was later replaced despite meeting all requirements and making significant financial contributions to the party.
He claimed to have paid a total of ₦25 million to the party, comprising ₦20 million as support for the party and ₦5 million for the nomination form for the Imo North Senatorial District ticket.
According to him, he participated in the party’s screening exercise, was duly cleared, and his consensus candidacy was ratified before his name was allegedly substituted with another aspirant.
Nwachukwu further alleged that irregularities occurred during the process, including a situation where funds he paid were allegedly credited to another aspirant, Matthew Omegara, while Omegara’s payment was also reportedly attributed to him.
Among the reliefs sought before the court, he is requesting a declaration that he remains the consensus and rightful candidate of the NDC for Imo North Senatorial Zone, as well as an order restraining the party from fielding any other candidate.
He is also asking the court to stop INEC from recognising any candidate other than himself for the senatorial district election until the matter is resolved.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Nwachukwu maintained that after purchasing the expression of interest form and fulfilling all financial obligations, his name was listed as the party’s candidate following the primaries.
He, however, said he was later informed at a meeting involving the party’s national leadership, including Senator Seriake Dickson, that some stakeholders from Imo State questioned his popularity and electoral strength.
The plaintiff is therefore seeking an order compelling the NDC to issue him a certificate of return as its candidate for the Imo North Senatorial District in the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, attempts to get an official response from the party were unsuccessful.
The NDC spokesperson in Imo State, Dr. Charles Akano, said he had yet to receive clearance to speak on the matter.
“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,” he said.
The case is expected to further expose internal tensions within the party’s candidate selection process as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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