Abia NDC group praises INEC for defending Electoral Act after Supreme Court ruling

A political group in Abia State has publicly praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its consistent defence of the Electoral Act. The NDC Concerned Movement expressed gratitude for the commission's stance, which they say contributed to a significant Supreme Court judgment delivered in September 2026. The group highlighted the court's decision on the legal requirements for political party membership and participation in primary elections.

Chiadikaobi Alusigwe, the coordinator of the Abia Central NDC Concerned Movement, led the commendation. He stated that the commission's determination to uphold the law was essential in resolving a dispute over candidate imposition in the Abia Central Senatorial district. Alusigwe noted that without INEC's involvement in the litigation, the group would have lacked a legal basis to challenge the selection process. The group described the Supreme Court's ruling as a landmark decision for democracy in Nigeria.

The dispute centres on the eligibility of Senator Nkechi Nwogu to contest as the NDC candidate for the Abia Central Senatorial seat. Alusigwe alleged that during the NDC primary election held on May 29, 2026, Nwogu was not among the visible participants. Instead, he pointed to the presence of other aspirants, specifically naming Ogbonna Abaraukwu and Blessing Ugbo. Alusigwe claimed that Abaraukwu won the primary based on the events of that day. However, Nwogu was subsequently published as the official candidate, a move the group found surprising and irregular.

Background

The controversy involves the timeline of Nwogu's political activities in May 2026. Alusigwe alleged that Nwogu participated in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abia Central Senatorial primaries on May 18, 2026. Approximately 11 days later, on May 29, 2026, she emerged as the NDC candidate in the party's primary. This rapid switch between opposing political parties within a short period triggered the legal challenge.

Ogbonna Abaraukwu, an aspirant for the same seat, supported the group's position. He explained that the Supreme Court clarified that a candidate cannot run for a primary in one party and then defect to another to run for the same office within a short timeframe. Abaraukwu cited the Electoral Act, which mandates that a candidate's name must be included in the party register submitted to INEC to be eligible for primary participation. The group argued that the imposition of Nwogu violated these statutory provisions.

Why it matters

The outcome of this dispute has implications for the integrity of primary elections in Nigeria. The NDC Concerned Movement stated that the Supreme Court's judgment reinforces the rules governing party membership and candidate eligibility. By upholding the Electoral Act, the court has provided a precedent for challenging candidates who may not meet the statutory requirements for primary participation.

The group emphasised the importance of fairness and equal opportunity in the electoral process. They urged INEC to maintain its commitment to impartiality and to continue enforcing the law strictly. The commendation reflects a broader concern among stakeholders about the manipulation of primary processes and the need for robust legal frameworks to ensure transparency. The involvement of INEC in the litigation was seen as a critical factor in achieving a favourable outcome for the group's legal challenges.

What happens next

The sources do not provide specific dates for future elections or pending decisions beyond the September 2026 Supreme Court judgment. However, the group's statement indicates an ongoing expectation for INEC to sustain its approach to enforcing the Electoral Act. The focus remains on ensuring that future primary elections adhere to the legal standards established by the court's ruling.