The particulars of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) deputy governorship candidate, Dr. Mike Barieenee Nwielaghi, were missing from the Form EC-9 displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State.
The list, displayed at the INEC headquarters in Port Harcourt, contains the names, educational qualifications and other particulars of governorship and House of Assembly candidates submitted by political parties for the election.
The particulars of the Boot Party (BP) deputy governorship candidate were also not visibly displayed, while Benjamin Oli was listed as the party’s governorship candidate.
Reacting to the omission, the Rivers State Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Success Jack, expressed surprise and attributed the development to what he described as an apparent lapse by INEC. He said the party would follow up on the matter.
Nwielaghi also provided a photocopy of his Form EC-9 to the publication, apparently to clarify his status as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
The NDC had earlier alleged that some of its candidates’ names were being omitted or altered on the INEC list, warning that it would challenge any such action in court.
Among the governorship candidates listed by INEC is Hon. Ogundu Kingsley Chinda of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with Major M. Jack as his running mate. Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs Owukor was listed for the NDC, while Gabriel Pidomson and Okumgba David Amapakaye were listed for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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Other parties on the list include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord, All Peoples Party (APP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Democratic Labour Alliance (DLA), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), African Action Congress (AAC), Action Alliance (AA), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Boot Party, National Rescue Movement (NRM) and Action Peoples Party (APM).
Although the electoral process still allows for substitution and replacement within the prescribed period, the publication of the candidates’ particulars has intensified political discussions in the state.
Meanwhile, allegations have emerged that some smaller political parties could be part of a broader “Rainbow Coalition” allegedly being coordinated by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Sources familiar with the political manoeuvring have alleged that some parties may have entered the race with the intention of eventually backing a consensus candidate. The reports specifically mentioned a possible alignment behind Chinda of the APC.
However, these claims could not be independently verified as of press time, and no evidence was presented to establish that the affected candidates or parties had agreed to such an arrangement.
INEC also displayed the Form EC-9 of candidates contesting the Rivers State House of Assembly seats in the 2027 general elections.
