A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, to submit the name of Uche Nwole to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as its candidate for Imo East Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.
The court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, gave the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Nwole against the NDC, INEC and Onyeagucha Uchechukwu.
It directed the party to immediately forward Nwole’s name, having emerged from its senatorial primary election monitored by INEC.
The court held that the primary election was conducted in line with Sections 84(1) and (2), and 86 of the Electoral Act 2026.
It also ordered INEC to accept, enlist and publish Nwole’s name as the party’s candidate for the senatorial district.
In addition, the court issued a perpetual injunction restraining the NDC from submitting another candidate for the same position.
It equally barred INEC from accepting or publishing the name of any other person as the party’s candidate for Imo East.
The court further held that the party could not replace the outcome of its monitored primary election with a consensus arrangement.
It noted that the NDC had conducted primaries for aspirants seeking the party’s ticket and that the exercise was monitored by INEC.
The court also found that Nwole had met the statutory requirements to participate in the direct primary and emerge as the party’s candidate.
