A significant legal dispute has emerged concerning the Enugu North Senatorial District ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Bishop Ossai Okwudili, popularly known as Oscar, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, contesting the alleged replacement of his name with that of Rt. Hon. Asadu Patrick Oziokoja as the party's candidate for the upcoming 2027 general election.

In an Originating Summons dated August 5, 2026, Ossai has named the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the NDC, and Asadu as defendants. He claims that he participated in the NDC primary held on May 29, 2026, where he emerged victorious with the highest number of votes. However, he only discovered the purported substitution after obtaining a Certified True Copy of the candidate information uploaded to INEC on July 23, 2026, which listed Asadu as the candidate instead of him.

Ossai is challenging the legality of INEC's acceptance and publication of Asadu's name as a candidate, questioning whether the commission can lawfully endorse a candidate who did not win the primary. He argues that the primary was conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026, as well as the party's guidelines and constitution. Furthermore, he is contesting the alleged existence of different nomination processes for the senatorial ticket, seeking clarity on whether NDC officials can submit another candidate's name after he was declared the winner of the primary.

Among the reliefs sought by Ossai, he is asking the court to officially recognize him as the legitimate candidate of the NDC for the Enugu North Senatorial District. He is also requesting an order that compels the NDC to submit his nomination documents to INEC for proper uploading and publication. Additionally, he seeks to have Asadu's name and nomination documents set aside and an order restraining the defendants from recognizing Asadu or any other individual as the NDC candidate for the district until the court resolves the matter.

The suit, filed by F. M. Nworah of Bloom Lex Legal Practice, cites provisions from the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and the NDC's constitution. It references previous legal cases that support Ossai's claim to the party's ticket. This latest legal action follows an earlier challenge to Ossai's candidacy from Dr. Vincent Obetta, who had previously approached the Federal High Court questioning Ossai's emergence from the May 29 primary.

In its response to Obetta's suit, the NDC affirmed that Ossai was indeed the rightful winner of the primary, having participated fully and secured the highest number of valid votes. The party maintained that the primary was conducted according to its constitution and electoral guidelines, and that INEC had been notified in advance.

In light of the recent developments, Ossai criticized the NDC leadership for what he termed a "ridiculous substitution," especially given the party's prior acknowledgment of his victory in court. He expressed confidence in the judiciary, describing it as the "last hope of the common man," and is hopeful for a just resolution.

The court has mandated the defendants to respond to the originating summons within seven days of service and to file their counter-affidavit within ten days, setting the stage for a legal determination of the competing claims over the NDC's Enugu North Senatorial District ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.