Ossai drags INEC, NDC, Asadu to court over Enugu North Senate ticket

Bishop Ossai Okwudili, also known as Oscar, has taken legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and the alleged candidate Asadu Patrick Oziokoja. The lawsuit, filed on August 5, 2026, seeks to nullify the substitution of Ossai's name with Asadu's as the NDC candidate for the Enugu North senatorial election in the 2027 general election.

Ossai claims he won the NDC primary held on May 29, 2026, and is challenging the alleged substitution process, asserting that INEC cannot publish a candidate who did not win the party primary. The plaintiff is also questioning the existence of different nomination processes for the senatorial ticket and is seeking the court to determine whether NDC officials could submit another candidate's name after their primary victory.

Ossai is requesting the court to declare him the lawful NDC candidate for the Enugu North Senatorial District, order the NDC to submit his nomination documents to INEC, and restrain defendants from recognizing Asadu as the NDC candidate pending the suit's resolution. The case is based on provisions of the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act 2026, and the NDC constitution, with references to earlier legal challenges supporting Ossai's claim.