Fresh tensions may be emerging within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following the direct submission of a list of candidates from the party’s governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly primaries in Abia State to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the chairman of the primary election committee, Chief Asukewe Ikoawaji.

The move has sparked concerns among party stakeholders and legal analysts, who warn that it could trigger internal disputes and raise questions about adherence to established procedures for the nomination and submission of candidates.

Documents obtained by journalists reveal that Ikoawaji, who chaired the NDC Primary Election Committee in Abia State, wrote to INEC through the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state on May 30, 2026, forwarding what he described as the results of the party’s primary elections held on May 29.

In the letter titled “The Outcome of the NDC Primary Election in Abia State,” Ikoawaji stated that results from all constituencies and local government areas had been collated and finalised at the party’s state headquarters on Nsukka Street, Umuahia.

According to him, the collation process was witnessed by an INEC official identified as Mrs. Chioma, alongside security personnel, members of the election committee and party officials.

He further informed the commission that the results had already been transmitted to the party’s national headquarters in Abuja in line with the party’s constitution. Attached to the correspondence were copies of election committee notifications, election guidelines and the results of the primaries.

In a separate letter addressed to the REC, Ikoawaji sought to correct what he described as errors in an earlier submission detailing members of the governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly electoral committees.

The correspondence identified him as the sole electoral and returning officer for the primaries conducted across Abia State’s 17 local government areas and stated that the revised submission superseded all previous documents sent to INEC regarding the exercise.

The development has generated controversy within the party, with critics insisting that the authority to formally submit the names of nominated candidates to INEC rests with the party’s national leadership, particularly the national chairman and national secretary.

Party insiders warned that any discrepancy between the list submitted by the election committee chairman and a subsequent submission by the national leadership could result in legal challenges and deepen internal divisions ahead of the elections.

Political observers also noted that the situation could test the party’s internal conflict-resolution mechanisms and attract regulatory attention if concerns arise over the legitimacy of the nomination process.

As of the time of this report, neither the national leadership of the NDC nor INEC had issued an official statement on the matter. Efforts to obtain comments from key individuals involved were unsuccessful.