Pratt challenges NDC candidate substitution.

In the affidavit, Pratt told the court that his inability to access INEC’s nomination portal had already begun causing him concrete harm.

“Because of this unlawful candidate swap, I am locked out of the official INEC nomination portal. I am suffering permanent, unrecoverable political and financial damage as I cannot print posters, mobilise structure, or launch my campaigns for the Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency,” he said.

He also pointed to INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections as evidence that the court needed to act without delay, warning that ballot papers could be printed with the substituted candidate’s name before any judgment was delivered.

“If this suit is not granted an expedited hearing immediately, the 3rd Respondent (INEC) will print final ballot papers using the name of the illegal candidate, which will render the final judgment of this Honourable Court completely useless,” he said. 

Pratt asked the court to declare the substitution illegal and void and to direct INEC to restore his name as the party’s candidate. He also urged the court to hear the matter on a day-to-day basis to avoid what he called “a complete miscarriage of justice.

INEC, NDC face Pratt’s legal challenge.

Pratt’s legal team is led by Ajose Abejoye. One of the firm’s lawyers, Kaosara Afariogun, stressed that the case was about more than one man’s candidacy.

“Honourable Pratt played by the rules and won fair and square. To see his dedication and the mandate of everyday people allegedly stolen by a secret political plot is unacceptable,” she said.

In a message to his supporters, Pratt said:

“My heart breaks not for myself, but for the beautiful, hardworking people of Lagos Mainland whose hopes were traded away in the dark.”

Enyi alleged that Chike had openly identified with the coalition and claimed that the vice-chancellor was recommended by Wike for the UNIPORT position.

He further alleged that Chike was “imposed” on the university by the former Rivers State governor.

Enyi said the alleged connection between the vice-chancellor and the coalition could be seen at the entrance of the university.

“To show the public that he is truly Wike’s product, at the entrance of the university, what you will see is the signpost of the VC with the caption, ‘Academia Rainbow Coalition of the Renewed Hope,’ with his picture on it,” he alleged.

The ADC spokesman further alleged that members of the Rainbow Coalition could be nominated as INEC returning officers for the election, Daily Voice reports.

“Those he will nominate as INEC returning officers for the election must be members of the coalition,” Enyi claimed.

He questioned the alleged activities of the vice chancellor ahead of the election, arguing that the process had not yet commenced but concerns were already being raised.

“It’s not even election time yet, but see what he is doing. During the election, all those who will be recommended are definitely going to come from the coalition,” he said.

Enyi challenged Professor Chike to demonstrate that the allegations against him were unfounded when the time came for the appointment of returning officers.

“Professor Chike, only God knows what you have come to do in Port Harcourt. Let us see those you will recommend. Let us see whether they will rig the election,” he added.

According to the sources, Tinubu was embarrassed by the lapses uncovered in the list and particularly concerned about the need for a campaign structure capable of bringing together the party’s major stakeholders and political actors ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

A source said: “The President was shocked and surprised that there was limited input from key and experienced people in the party in the final composition of the campaign council.”

The initial campaign list, to be headed by former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, as Director-General, generated concerns within the party over the absence of several prominent APC members who are regarded as important political stakeholders in their respective states and regions.

Among the major issues raised was the exclusion of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.

Under the initial arrangement, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was named a Deputy Director-General for the Southern campaign, alongside the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, while Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and Deputy Senate President, Jibril Barau, were assigned coordinating roles.

Stakeholders in the APC argued that the designation appeared to place the Senate President in a campaign structure alongside or below other officials of the National Assembly who ordinarily rank differently in the constitutional hierarchy.

The sources told the aforementioned publication that the new arrangement would need to resolve the perceived imbalance and ensure that the leadership of the National Assembly is properly integrated into the campaign hierarchy.

Also missing from the initial list is the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo (SAN) who served as a prominent spokesman and Director of Public Affairs in the APCs 2023 presidential campaign.

The controversy also reinforces an earlier report by TheWill on prominent APC members with direct experience in presidential campaign management who were not included in the initial roaster.

They include former Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, who served as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2023 election; Festus Keyamo, a senior advocate and former EFCC prosecutor, who was one of the most prominent campaign spokesmen; and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who served as Director of Stakeholders Relations in the 2023 structure.

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who served as National Youth Coordinator during the 2023 campaign, was also not included in the initial council.

Other notable omissions include former Ogun State Governors, Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, and former Edo State governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The omission of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has also emerged as a major point of concern. Okpebholo has been a prominent political voice in the APC’s mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election and is regarded as an important component of the party’s growing political strength in the South-South.

However, the decision to review the campaign list has revealed no indication that Tinubu has withdrawn the appointment of Yari as Director-General.