Court bars INEC from accepting NDC candidate for Imo East

According to a report by The Sun, on Wednesday September 23, 2026, a Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to accept any candidate submitted by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Imo East Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 National Assembly election.

‎The judgment was delivered by Justice I. N. Oweibo following a legal challenge filed by five aspirants who contested the party’s candidate selection process for the senatorial seat.

‎The plaintiffs argued that they took part in the party’s preliminary activities after purchasing expression of interest forms and undergoing screening, they also claimed to have paid development fees required by the party, however, they maintained that no valid primary election was conducted to choose a candidate for the district.

‎According to the suit, the aspirants believed the process that produced the party’s candidate did not comply with the requirements expected for a primary election.

‎Before the court ruling, the NDC had forwarded the name of former Imo State Secretary to the State Government, Uche Onyeaguocha, to INEC as its candidate for Imo East, the electoral commission had already published his name among candidates expected to participate in the January 16, 2027 National Assembly election.

‎After reviewing the case, Justice Oweibo held that the party failed to conduct a valid primary election for the senatorial district, the court therefore directed INEC not to accept any candidate presented by the NDC based on the disputed process.

‎The decision has created a fresh challenge for the opposition party as preparations continue for the 2027 elections, unless the ruling is overturned or other legal steps are taken, the party may face difficulties fielding a candidate for the Imo East Senate seat.