NRM disowns INEC-listed Anambra governorship candidate

The National Chairman of the National Rescue Mission (NRM), Chief Edozie Njoku, has categorically disowned the candidate listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s governorship flag bearer for the upcoming Anambra State election.

Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, Njoku stated emphatically that the NRM currently has no candidate for the election.

Njoku described the inclusion of one Ndidi Christy Olieh and her running mate, Ogbe Ekene Reginald, in INEC’s final list of candidates published on Wednesday as a product of “illegality” and an affront to the rule of law.

He alleged that the process through which the names were submitted did not follow due process and cannot stand.

“This party has no candidate for the Anambra State governorship election. None whatsoever,” Njoku declared. “But INEC went behind and got the Secretary to bring a candidate. How can you tell me that NRM has a candidate when due process was not followed?”

Njoku, who recently defected from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and was elected NRM National Chairman at an emergency national congress held in Abuja, accused the electoral body of undermining a valid court judgment affirming his leadership.

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A Federal High Court in Abuja, in a ruling delivered by Justice Obiora Egwatu, ordered INEC to recognize the leadership of the NRM as constituted during the party’s emergency convention.

The court faulted INEC’s refusal to acknowledge the outcome of the legally convened congress, which filled key positions in the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and addressed structural imbalances.

The court’s decision, delivered in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/45/2025, directed INEC to recognize Chief Njoku as the legitimate national chairman of the party. Despite this, INEC failed to comply with the ruling or appeal the judgment.

“The Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC has continuously ignored our letters and court rulings,” Njoku alleged. “We will not allow this illegality to stand. Recognition is coming to us sooner than many expect, and when it does, we will take proper steps regarding our position in Anambra.”

The controversy surrounding NRM’s candidacy has further deepened the legal and political crisis ahead of the Anambra governorship election, casting doubts over INEC’s adherence to court orders and internal party democracy.