Businessman and politician Pratt Tunde has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos challenging the alleged substitution of his name as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tunde claimed that he won the NDC primary election conducted on May 29, 2026, in an exercise monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to an affidavit filed alongside his application, Tunde alleged that the NDC subsequently replaced his name with that of Tunji Sanni without informing or obtaining his consent.
Tunde challenges alleged candidate swap
Tunde said he discovered the alleged substitution on August 1, 2026, and immediately took steps to challenge the decision in court.
He argued that the alleged change had already affected his preparations for the 2027 election, claiming that he could no longer access the official INEC nomination portal.
He said the situation had prevented him from printing campaign materials, mobilising supporters and commencing his campaign for the Lagos Mainland constituency.
Fear over ballot paper printing
The businessman also urged the court to urgently hear the matter, citing INEC’s timetable for the 2027 elections.
Tunde expressed concern that ballot papers could be printed with the name of the alleged replacement candidate before the court delivers judgment.
He therefore asked the court to grant an expedited hearing to prevent what he described as a situation in which a final judgment could become ineffective.
What Tunde wants
Tunde is asking the Federal High Court to declare the alleged substitution illegal and void and direct INEC to recognise him as the NDC candidate for the Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency.
He also wants the court to hear the case on a day-to-day basis because of the approaching electoral deadlines.
His legal team is led by Ajose Abejoye, while lawyer Kaosara Afariogun described the matter as an issue concerning the alleged denial of a primary election victory.
The suit has INEC and the NDC as respondents.
NDC leadership faces fresh political challenge
The court case comes amid growing political activity within the NDC ahead of the 2027 elections.
The supplied report also noted recent comments by NDC national leader Seriake Dickson, who said nobody was doing the party a favour by handing its presidential ticket to Peter Obi.
Dickson maintained that he could also have emerged as the party’s presidential candidate, citing his political record and experience.
