Businessman sues INEC, NDC over 2027 Enugu North ticket

Businessman Okwudili Ossai, also known as Bishop Oscar, has initiated legal action against Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Ossai alleges that his name was unlawfully substituted for another aspirant's on the NDC's Enugu North District ticket for the upcoming 2027 general elections.

The lawsuit, filed on August 5 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenges the uploading of Mr. Asadu's name to the INEC portal as the designated candidate. Ossai asserts that he emerged as the winner of the NDC's primary election held on May 29, having secured the highest number of votes and subsequently being recognized as the victor.

Ossai discovered the alleged substitution on July 23 after obtaining a Certified True Copy of the candidate information submitted to INEC. He is asking the court to rule on whether INEC can legally accept and publish a candidate's name other than the primary election winner, and whether NDC officials can lawfully submit a different aspirant's name after a primary outcome.

In his prayers, Ossai seeks a declaration that he is the legitimate NDC candidate for the Enugu North District, having participated fully in the primary and received the most votes. He also requests an order compelling the NDC to submit his nomination documents to INEC for processing and publication. Furthermore, he asks the court to nullify the purported submission and uploading of Mr. Asadu's name and to restrain the defendants from recognizing anyone other than himself as the NDC candidate pending the suit's determination. Ossai noted that the NDC had previously affirmed his candidacy in a prior legal challenge.

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NDC previously affirmed my candidacy.