The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has said Epelle-Asemota Bridgitte Osayuki remains its duly nominated candidate for the Edo South Senatorial District, following what the party described as an error in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) publication of candidates’ particulars.

In a statement signed by its Director of New Media and Strategic Communication, Agada Abuh Theophilus, the party said the commission’s recent publication correctly displayed Mrs Epelle-Asemota’s name but allegedly carried the photograph and credentials of another aspirant.

The NDC maintained that it had submitted Mrs Epelle-Asemota’s name, photograph and supporting credentials to INEC in accordance with the Electoral Act and the Constitution.

“By the Constitution and the Electoral Act, no one can be a candidate of a political party unless sponsored by that party. Sponsorship is effected through the formal submission of the candidate’s name to INEC. In this case, that process was duly followed,” the statement said.

The party said it had attached evidence of the successful upload of Mrs Epelle-Asemota’s particulars and called on INEC to explain how the discrepancy occurred and correct the publication.

The NDC also rejected what it described as attempts to question its candidate’s eligibility on ethnic grounds, insisting that Mrs Epelle-Asemota is a Nigerian citizen of Benin ancestry who has lived and worked in Benin throughout her career.

According to the party, she previously contested for the House of Representatives seat for Ovia Federal Constituency in the 2023 general election and has spent 35 years in the Edo State public service.

The statement further highlighted her previous leadership roles, including serving as Chairman of the Principals’ Association of Edo State, the first female chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) in Edo State and nationally, as well as Secretary of the Trade Union Congress in the state.

The party said Mrs Epelle-Asemota emerged through its primary election and described her as qualified to represent the Edo South Senatorial District.

Responding to concerns raised by some members following the party primaries, the NDC acknowledged that other aspirants had sought the ticket but said their disappointment should not undermine the party’s unity.

It disclosed that a national reconciliation committee had been constituted to address grievances arising from the primary elections and urged members to support the process.

The party also denied allegations that its candidate was imposed, maintaining that the primary election was conducted with the involvement of state leaders, while the national leadership only intervened to harmonise unresolved issues.

The NDC called on its members to close ranks and focus on strengthening the party ahead of future electoral contests while urging INEC to rectify what it described as an error in the publication of its Edo South senatorial candidate’s particulars.