Protests as INEC omits physically-challenged candidate’s name from list

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s omission of Dr Christian Uwalaka, a person living with disability and a candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, from its published list of candidates for the 2027 House of Representatives election in Abia State has sparked protests by his supporters.

The supporters, under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, threatened to mobilise for a peaceful demonstration if the electoral commission failed to address “unexplained omission of Dr, Uwalaka’s name.”

INEC’s official publication, titled ‘Final List of Candidates’, contains names of candidates for the Umuahia North/Umuahia South/Ikwuano Federal Constituency, but Uwalaka’s name did not appear on the list.

Uwalaka’s supporters are presenting him as a candidate living with a disability who participated in the party nomination process and was successful in securing the ticket to represent the National Assembly.

In a statement signed by the Director General/Director of Media of the group, Mr. Ikegwuonu Sunday, the supporters alleged that Uwalaka purchased the NNPP nomination form, participated in the party’s primary process, submitted the required documents and was screened and cleared.

The group further noted that the aspirant had undertaken extensive mobilisation across Ikwuano and Umuahia and had built a support base in the constituency.

The supporters asked, “Where is his name? INEC should explain the basis on which the aspirant was omitted from the published list.”

The supporters said their concern was not merely about an individual political ambition but about the broader question of political participation by persons with disabilities.

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They argued that the development should be viewed against Nigeria’s legal framework on disability inclusion, maintaining that the commission should publicly clarify whether his omission resulted from a nomination issue involving the NNPP, a documentation or screening issue, a party submission, or another electoral consideration.

They called on INEC, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, traditional rulers, youth organisations and other stakeholders to pay attention to the matter.

“We are not calling for preferential treatment for Uwalaka but for transparency and an explanation of the process that resulted in his omission. If the commission has a lawful reason for the omission, Nigerians deserve to know it.”

They threatened to embark on a peaceful protest if appropriate steps were not taken to resolve the matter.

The party state chairman, Prince Kelechi Apugo, said, “He (Uwalaka) is our candidate for Ikwuano Umuahia Federal Constituency

 “The nomination and upload to INEC portal is the sole responsibility of the National Headquarters. The state has completed its part. His name is not reflected yet on the final list, but I have notified the national organ of the party for necessary action”.

Also reacting, the Head of Department, Election and Party Monitoring (EPM), INEC, Abia State, who identifies himself simply as Omeje, said, “We will do our job, do the primaries in the states, and send our reports to Abuja. Whatever plays out in Abuja, maybe through the national body of the party, we don’t have control of it. The most important thing is that we do our job and we document it”.