{
  "id": 10803912,
  "title": "Why I sued Abia NDC over Senate ticket – Aspirant",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/why-i-sued-abia-ndc-over-senate-ticket-aspirant-10803912",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T23:18:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/why-i-sued-abia-ndc-over-senate-ticket-aspirant/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Blessing Ugbo, a senatorial aspirant of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Abia Central Senatorial District, has filed a lawsuit against the party over the denial of her Senate ticket. According to Ugbo, she was the only aspirant from Abia Central who appeared for the screening after purchasing an Expression of Interest form and providing financial support to the party. The screening took place on May 20, 2026, chaired by former Governor Sam Egwu. Ugbo alleges that after the screening, some aspirants who had obtained House of Representatives forms tried to \"upgrade\" to the Senate. The party held a gala night on May 26, advising aspirants to seek consensus, failing which they should go to the field for primaries. Ugbo participated fully in line with party guidelines, present in Umuahia South and deploying agents in five local government areas. The primary was initially scheduled for May 28 but was shifted to May 29 due to flight constraints. Ugbo claims she won in Umuahia South, Umuahia North, Ikwuano, and Isiala Ngwa North, and has video evidence from the various venues to support her claim. She also alleges that there was no venue provided for Isiala Ngwa South and that the venue in Osisioma was changed, leading to a discrepancy in the conduct of the primary. Ugbo further states that the party declared the results in Abuja, which she did not agree with, as only Expression of Interest forms were sold initially. She asserts that she never withdrew from the race and that there is evidence she contested and won the Senate ticket. Ugbo took the matter to court to reclaim the mandate given to her by the people of Abia Central, as she believes a former senator, Senator Nkechi Nwogu, who was given the ticket, is still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The matter was scheduled for hearing at the Federal High Court on September 21, but was adjourned to October 8 after the court resumed from recess.",
  "summary": "A senatorial aspirant, Blessing Ugbo, explains why she sued the Nigerian Democratic Congress for allegedly denying her the Abia Central senatorial ticket. Read More: https://punchng.com/why-i-sued-abia-ndc-over-senate-ticket-aspirant/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Why I sued Abia NDC over Senate ticket – Aspirant",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/why-i-sued-abia-ndc-over-senate-ticket-aspirant",
        "published": "2026-09-29T23:16:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}