OYC Will Resists Substitution Of NDC Imo North Candidate

The Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, Imo State chapter, has condemned and warned against the alleged substitution of the validly elected candidate for Imo North, Okigwe zone by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, saying Ugochuukwu Nwachukwu remains their consensus candidate.

Imo OYC made the disclosure in a statement signed by the chairman, Comrade Valentine Diala in Owerri at the weekend.

According to the youth group, Hon. Ugochukwu emerged as the candidate of the NDC Okigwe zone senatorial seat through the party’s primary election on May 28, 2026, after fulfilling the parties prescribed requirements.

However, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC published the name of Hon Matthew Omegara as the NDC candidate for Imo North senatorial district election.

The OYC said they were aggrieved in the way and manner Nwachukwu’s victory in the NDC Okigwe senatorial seat was substituted with Omegara, saying it negates the party’s constitution.

Further, the group said since NDC announced Nwachukwu as the winner, he remains the authentic candidate for Okigwe Zone Senate seat in the 2027 senatorial election.

The group said the era of fielding stooges and political godsons is over in Imo and Okigwe zone in particular.

It said democracy is for the people and the acclaimed NDC leaders in Imo State must not deprive the people of Imo North their choice for the senate seat.

According to OYC, the NDC constitution is anchored on internal democracy, saying the party cannot produce a winner, and then prevent that winner from participating in the election without fair hearing and judicial interpretation

The group said they will pursue and ensure justice for all Igbos regardless of status, religion or party affiliation, saying those seeking to substitute “Nwachukwu are uncomfortable with a candidate who has a blue print and who is loved by his constituents, whose ideas, competence, and credible plan for his people are unmatched”.

The statement read “OYC have noted with regrets the attempt by some corrupt party leaders to substitute Hon. Ugochukwu Nwachukwu with Mr. Omegara. That illegal substitution can only trigger long legal battle, deepen internal division and jeopardize the party’s electoral chances in Okigwe zone.

“OYC is not asking anyone to break the law. We’re asking that the party looked into a perceived manipulation against Hon. Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and urged the court to restore his mandate.

“Hon. Ugochukwu will not be intimidated or surrender a legitimate democratic right because of Godfatherism. He remains the NDC candidate for Imo North Senatorial seat until judgement is delivered”, the statement read.

Meanwhile, Nwachukwu has filed a suit before a federal high court in Owerri over the development, while the OYC has applied to be joined as a party in the suit, saying “we have seen situations where candidates who won elections and where short changed were restored to the ballot through judicial intervention”.