Reps aspirant sues NDC for N5bn over ‘scrapped’ primary

Sheriff Mulade, an environmental activist and aspirant for the House of Representatives seat for the Warri Federal Constituency under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has filed a N5 billion lawsuit against the party. Mulade alleges that the NDC discarded the results of a primary election in favor of an "unknown selection or appointment process."

“

We were taken aback by the newly registered party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), which many Nigerians considered a saviour capable of addressing the numerous challenges confronting our dear nation. Little did we know that the NDC vehicle we boarded was mainly for what looks more like placeholders, gambling with Nigerians’ future.

Mulade, who holds the traditional title of Ibe-Sorimowei of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, expressed shock at the party's decision. He described the NDC, a newly registered party, as one that many Nigerians initially viewed as a potential savior for the nation's challenges. However, he now feels that the party vehicle he joined was primarily for "placeholders, gambling with Nigerians’ future."

The lawsuit claims N5 billion in damages over this alleged infraction. Mulade stated that while he holds the NDC leadership, particularly its National Leader Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, in high regard, he believes the leadership may have been unduly influenced by financial contributions disguised as donations and nomination form sales from certain individuals.

“

We are hereby proceeding to court with a N5 billion damages claim over the infraction.

He indicated that the party's candidate selection process now appears to be based on who can offer the highest bid for nomination forms, a departure from the expected democratic primary.

“

the leadership seemed to have been overwhelmed by resources from certain Nigerians with deliberate intentions, in the guise of donations, contributions and nomination form sales.