The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate a court ruling that displaced its candidate for the Gwale Federal Constituency in Kano State.

The party alleged that its officials were not invited to testify in a suit challenging its candidate-selection process before the Federal High Court in Kano, while questioning the authenticity of documents presented in connection with the disputed nomination.

The Chairman of the party in Gwale Local Government Area, Dr. Naziru Yusuf Abdullahi, made the call during a press briefing at the party’s headquarters on Sunday.

He stated that the party conducted a consensus and affirmation exercise on May 29, 2026, during which its candidates for various elective positions were endorsed in the presence of representatives from relevant agencies.

Abdullahi noted that officials from INEC, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) monitored the exercise.

He listed the party’s endorsed candidates as Peter Obi for President, Aminu Abdussalam for Governor, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna for Senate, and Aminu Abdullahi for the House of Assembly, while identifying Dr. Muhammad Hamisu as the candidate for the Gwale Federal Constituency seat.

According to him, the party subsequently continued its activities without receiving any official communication indicating that the candidates endorsed during the exercise had been replaced.

However, he explained that the party later learned of a court case instituted by one Abdulmajid Hamisu against INEC and the NDC, which resulted in a ruling against Dr. Muhammad Hamisu.

Abdullahi faulted the proceedings, alleging that neither he nor other party officials involved in the affirmation exercise were invited to clarify how the candidate was selected.

He added that the chairman and secretary of the affirmation committee could have provided evidence regarding the process but were denied the opportunity.

The chairman maintained that documents signed during the May 29 exercise, which were also endorsed by representatives of monitoring agencies, supported the party’s position.

In separate verifying affidavits filed in a Federal High Court case involving Hon. Barr. Ismail Idris Sani, the NDC, and INEC, the party’s Kano State Chairman, Hussaini Isa Mairiga, and State Secretary, Prof. Salisu Mohammed Tudunkaya, also challenged a disputed letter dated June 15, 2026, purportedly containing the party’s list of candidates for the 2027 elections.

The two officials stated that they neither signed nor authorized the issuance of the disputed letter, adding that its letterhead, logo, formatting, and signatures differed from those on the party’s official correspondence.

They identified a separate candidate-submission letter dated June 15, 2026—acknowledged by INEC’s Kano office on the same date—as the authentic document.

The affidavits highlighted that the disputed letter lacked the valid INEC acknowledgment stamp and differed significantly from the genuine document in presentation and authentication. (Note: The assertions in the affidavits represent the officials’ claims before the court and do not independently establish legal forgery.)

Abdullahi urged INEC, the police, the DSS, and other relevant security agencies to investigate the matter, reiterating that the party remains committed to rule of law and peaceful political engagement.

He also called on the NJC to review the conduct of the presiding judge who delivered the ruling, alleging that the court failed to adequately consider the party’s account of the primary process.

“We are law-abiding citizens. We respect the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and remain peaceful,” he said, urging party members to stay calm while the matter is pursued through legal channels.

The NDC chairman reaffirmed the party’s unwavering support for its endorsed candidates and its national leadership, including party leader Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, adding that the NDC will continue to seek redress through appropriate legal and institutional channels. (Daily Trust)