Twenty-one ward chairmanship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State have taken legal action against the party, challenging what they described as an unlawful denial of nomination forms despite paying a total of N20 million.
The aspirants, who participated in preparations for the February 18, 2026 ward and local government congresses, filed a suit before the Federal High Court sitting in Awka.
They are seeking a declaration that they were entitled to be issued the forms necessary to contest in the exercise.
Through their counsel, Chief G. Tagbo Ike (SAN), the plaintiffs argued that having paid the required fees into the party’s account, they should have been allowed to undergo screening and participate in the ward congresses in line with APC electoral guidelines.
The suit, marked FHC/AWK/CS/50/2026 and filed on February 16, 2026, is being presided over by Justice Bala Khalifa Mohammed Usman.
The applicants are not only representing themselves but also other aggrieved aspirants across wards in the state.
Joined as defendants in the case are the APC, its National Chairman, National Secretary, the Chairman of the party’s nationwide congresses committee, the Anambra State party leadership, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The plaintiffs claim that despite making a bulk payment of N20 million on February 9, 2026—through a designated account—the party failed to issue them the nomination forms.
They described the action as discriminatory, unconstitutional, and a violation of their rights under Sections 40 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
Internal democracy denied
They further argued that the refusal to provide the forms undermines internal democracy within the party and contravenes its own guidelines for the 2026 congresses.
Sequel to the above, the aspirants are asking the court to declare the denial of forms as unlawful and a breach of APC guidelines, and to order a refund of the N20 million if the congresses proceed without them.
They also want the court to restrain the party from conducting the congresses until they are allowed to participate, nullify any congress conducted without their involvement and to award N100 million in damages for breach of rights and inconvenience.
Allegation of manipulation
The applicants also alleged that certain party officials in the state manipulated the process to exclude them, despite repeated appeals to the party’s national leadership for intervention.
They maintained that their right to contest for party offices is protected under the law, noting that the tenure of current ward executives had already expired before the scheduled congresses.
Describing the situation as “unjust enrichment,” the aspirants insisted that it is unacceptable for the party to collect such a large sum for forms and then deny them access to the same process.
They urged the court to halt the congresses pending resolution of the dispute, warning that any exercise conducted without their participation should be declared null and void.
The case has further exposed internal tensions within the APC in Anambra State, raising concerns about transparency and fairness in the party’s internal electoral processes.
