2027: Crisis hits NDC as two aspirants clash over INEC’s upload of candidates in Edo

The recent upload of candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on its portal ahead of the 2027 general elections has sparked a fresh crisis in the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, with two aspirants laying claim to the party’s candidacy for the same elective position in Edo State.

DAILY POST reports that INEC had reportedly uploaded the photograph of Hon. Sunny Aguebor as the party’s candidate for Edo South Senatorial District on its portal.

The electoral commission was also reported to have uploaded the particulars of another aspirant, Mrs Epelle-Asemota Beigiditte Osayuki, alongside Hon. Aguebor’s photograph.

DAILY POST gathered that the development has created confusion among members and supporters of the party, as well as the two aspirants.

It was learnt that the development has further pitched both aspirants against each other over the party’s senatorial ticket, raising questions about who is the authentic NDC candidate for the Edo South contest.

When contacted, Hon. Aguebor insisted that he remained the only authentic candidate of the party for the Edo South senatorial election.

Aguebor, who described the discrepancy as an anomaly, alleged possible mischief or an error in the uploading of the candidate’s information.

He maintained that the party’s position on its candidate was clear, adding that the appearance of another aspirant’s name and particulars alongside his photograph on the INEC portal did not alter his status as the party’s candidate.

On her part, Mrs Asemota, whose name and particulars appeared on the document uploaded to the commission’s portal, declared that the matter was already being handled by the appropriate authorities.

According to her, “I am not really disposed to making comments on it now because the party is handling it and INEC is handling it as well. I will leave it at that.”