Why I sued Abia NDC over Senate ticket – Aspirant

A senatorial aspirant of the Nigerian Democratic Congress for the Abia Central Senatorial District, Blessing Ugbo, has claimed she won the party’s primary election but was denied the ticket.

She said the party must return the senatorial ticket to her, adding that the person given the ticket is a member of All Progressives Congress and did not participate in the party’s primary election.

Ugbo who hails from Obakala clan in the Umuahia South Local Government Area, on Sunday told our correspondent that she purchased the Expression of Interest form on May 13, 2026, provided additional financial support to the party, and was screened on May 20, 2026, by a panel chaired by former Governor Sam Egwu.

According to her, she was the only aspirant from Abia Central that appeared for the screening.

“We were screened on the 20th of May, 2026. When Abia aspirants for Senate were called, I was the only aspirant from Abia Central that was screened. Every question I was asked was excellently answered,” she said.

She alleged that after the screening, she began to hear of moves by some aspirants who had earlier obtained House of Representatives forms to “upgrade” to the Senate.

She said the party held a gala night on May 26 and advised aspirants from the same constituency to seek consensus, failing which they should go to the field for primaries.

The aspirant said the primary, which was initially scheduled for May 28, was shifted to May 29, 2026, due to flight constraints, and that she participated fully in line with party guidelines by being present in Umuahia South while deploying agents with her branded materials to the five other local government areas that make up Abia Central.

She added that other aspirants who contested the ticket with her were Abaraukwu and Emeka Nwankpa, adding that the person given the ticket, Senator Nkechi Nwogu, was never part of the process.

“There was primary. The INEC officials and security agencies that came around witnessed it. I had my agents in Umuahia North, Ikwuano, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma,” she said.

She claimed she won in Umuahia South, Umuahia North, Ikwuano and Isiala Ngwa North, stating that she has video evidence from the various venues to support her claim.

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She further alleged that there was no venue provided for Isiala Ngwa South while the venue in Osisioma was changed from Ngwa High School to Ngwa People’s Club where no senatorial primary was conducted.

Ugbo said the party had directed that results would be declared in Abuja and that winners would be given nomination forms, as only Expression of Interest forms were sold initially.

She said on getting to Abuja on May 30, she was surprised to hear that a former senator, Senator Nkechi Nwogu, had been given affirmation by consensus as the candidate for Abia Central.

“I never withdrew from the race. There is no evidence that I withdrew. There is evidence that I contested and won. For consensus to happen, those contesting must withdraw in writing. I did not,” she stated.

She said when she was asked to step down for House of Representatives, she declined, insisting that she contested for Senate and won.

Consequently, she said she approached the court to reclaim the mandate given to her by the people of Abia Central.

“Our party is a new party. Being a new party, there might be some lapses. I went to court because the mandate was given to me by my senatorial district people and I should not toy with it,” she said.

She further alleged that the beneficiary of the consensus is still a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as contained in the membership register uploaded by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, adding that the Supreme Court has already clarified the issue.

“The reason I took my party and INEC to court is simple. That former senator is a member of APC at the time INEC uploaded the membership register.”

The matter, according to her, was scheduled for hearing at the Federal High Court on the 21st of September, but was adjourned to the 8th of October after the court resumed from recess.

The NDC Publicity Secretary in Abia State, Mr Emeka Lious, promised to get back to our correspondent with the party’s position, which he has yet to do as of press time.