A Niger Delta environmental activist and House of Representatives aspirant for Warri Federal Constituency, Sheriff Mulade, has filed a N5 billion damages lawsuit against the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), challenging what he described as the party’s alleged cancellation of its primary election results.
Mulade, who is also known as the Ibe-Sorimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, accused the party of replacing the outcome of its primaries with what he termed an “unknown selection or appointment process.”
Allegations of Candidate Selection Irregularities
In a statement issued in Warri on Monday, the activist expressed shock over what he described as a sudden shift in the party’s nomination process.
He alleged that the party had moved away from democratic primaries and adopted a system influenced by financial considerations, claiming that nomination decisions were being tied to the purchase of forms and financial capacity.
Mulade said the development had left him disillusioned, adding that he and other aspirants were misled into believing the party would conduct a transparent primary election.
N5 Billion Damages Claim Filed
The activist confirmed that he is heading to court over what he described as an infringement of his political rights and expectations within the party process.
“We are hereby proceeding to court with a N5 billion damages claim over the infraction,” he stated.
He said the legal action was necessary to challenge what he called the “abandonment of democratic procedures” within the party.
Criticism of Party Leadership
While expressing respect for the leadership of the NDC, particularly its National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, Mulade alleged that the party leadership had been overwhelmed by financial influence.
He claimed that donations, contributions, and nomination fees were being used to distort internal party democracy.
According to him, the situation risks undermining public confidence in the newly registered party, which many Nigerians had initially seen as a reform-driven political platform.
Political Tension Within NDC
The lawsuit adds to growing tensions within the NDC over internal party processes ahead of future elections, as aspirants continue to raise concerns about transparency, candidate selection, and fairness in primaries.
