A fresh crisis is brewing within the opposition Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following allegations by the Social Accountability Forum that the party unlawfully substituted a candidate, Prince Abele Wobo declared winner of its primary election for the Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1 seat in Rivers State.

The Forum, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Elechi Kingsley, and Secretary, Godspower Nyebuchi, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, alleged that Wobo, who won the party’s direct primary conducted on May 29, 2026, was replaced on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal with the incumbent member representing the constituency, Hon. Manuchim Umezurike.

According to the group, the primary was conducted by the NDC National Election Committee headed by Dr. Osusu Osusu, with Wobo emerging winner with 292 votes.

“Prince Abele Wobo lawfully emerged as the candidate of the NDC for Port Harcourt Constituency 1. The result was announced publicly by the Chairman of the National Electoral Committee, Dr. Osusu Osusu,” the statement said.

The Forum alleged that despite the declaration, Umezurike’s name was subsequently uploaded on the INEC portal as the party’s candidate.
It further claimed that Umezurike did not participate in the primary because he was still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the time.

The group alleged that the development followed Umezurike’s failure to secure a return ticket from the APC, accusing unnamed individuals within the NDC of attempting to use the party’s platform to legitimise what it described as an illegality.

It also alleged attempts were made to pressure Dr. Osusu to withdraw the original result and issue a fresh declaration in favour of Umezurike, but that the electoral committee chairman refused.

“They are now trying to discredit and disclaim the entire primary conducted by Dr. Osusu Osusu because he refused to compromise his integrity,” the Forum alleged.

Describing the alleged substitution as a “direct assault on internal democracy,” the group warned that allowing such a practice could undermine confidence in the NDC and weaken its credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“It is undemocratic and dangerous to conduct an open primary, declare a winner, and then substitute him in the dead of night. That is the definition of impunity,” it stated.

The Forum disclosed that the dispute had already been taken to court, with Umezurike reportedly served through substituted means.

It consequently called on the national leadership of the NDC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged substitution and restore Wobo’s name on the INEC portal if the original primary result is found to be valid.

The group said political stakeholders and observers were now watching to see whether the party would uphold the result announced on May 29 or allow what it described as a potentially fraudulent substitution to stand.

The allegations have added another layer to the increasingly competitive battle for political tickets ahead of the 2027 elections, with the controversy likely to test the NDC’s commitment to internal democracy and compliance with its own electoral procedures.