The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has announced legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over what it describes as an unauthorized imposition of a candidate for the upcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
Mr. Isaac-Chigozie Udeh, the immediate-past National Chairman and current National Organising Secretary of the NRM, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday. He expressed shock that INEC had published a candidate's name for the party despite refusing to recognize the party's National Electoral Committee constituted during its emergency convention on January 17.
"On January 16, 2025, we got an order impelling INEC to monitor our emergency national convention slated for January 17, 2025. INEC was duly notified," Udeh stated. "The emergency national convention was held and Chief Edozie Njoku and other national executives were elected. I stepped down (as the National Chairman) to become the National Organising Secretary of the party."
Court Orders Allegedly Ignored
According to Udeh, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, issued a judgment on March 5, 2025, directing INEC to accept and recognize the outcome of the January 17 emergency national convention. However, he claimed INEC disregarded these court orders and instead monitored what he described as an "illegal NEC meeting" on January 27, followed by an "Emergency National Convention" on April 14.
"INEC went ahead to reject all the letters we wrote notifying them of our electoral activities in preparation for the Anambra governorship election and the need for them to monitor it as required by law," Udeh explained. "Brazenly, INEC chose to monitor the illegal governorship primaries organised by Mr. Chinedu Obi, the National Welfare Officer of the party."
Allegations of Forgery
The NRM official further accused certain INEC officials of forgery, questioning how they obtained signatures purportedly from him and Chief Njoku. "It is abundantly clear that the purported name inserted against NRM in the Anambra governorship election does not have the approval of the legally recognised NRM National Chairman, Chief Edozie Njoku. It also does not have my endorsement, as the man whose name still adorns the commission's website," he asserted.
Udeh emphasized that according to electoral laws, only he and Njoku have the authority to sign or authenticate the party's candidate. "Our lawyers have been contacted to act accordingly in addressing this very disturbing scenario," he confirmed.
The controversy adds to the growing tensions surrounding the Anambra governorship election, with political parties positioning themselves for the November contest. INEC has yet to respond to these allegations as of press time.
"We urge Nigerians that holding public office holders accountable is part of our civic duty. No one should shy away from it," Udeh concluded.
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