Fresh confusion has emerged over the 2027 presidential election after Ada Fredrick was announced as the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDP) two days after the expiration of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the conduct of party primaries.
The NDP on Monday unveiled Fredrick as its flagbearer for the 2027 general election during a press conference in Abuja, raising questions about the party’s eligibility to participate in the presidential contest.
INEC had directed political parties to conduct their presidential primaries and submit candidates within the window of April 23 to May 30, 2026. However, Fredrick’s emergence came on June 1, two days after the deadline had lapsed.
The development has created uncertainty around the party’s participation in the election, although a court case challenging INEC’s authority to impose timelines on political parties is still pending at the appeal court.
Addressing journalists, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Emeka Wachuku, said Fredrick emerged through a consensus affirmation process conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He described her as a grassroots politician with a track record of leadership and commitment to national development.
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According to Wachuku, Fredrick founded the Ward2Ward movement before establishing the NDP in 2026. He added that she was also elected the party’s first national chairman during its inaugural National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting monitored by INEC officials.
He outlined the party’s agenda, including infrastructure development, job creation and increased local processing of the country’s natural resources to drive economic growth.
In her acceptance speech, Fredrick pledged to justify the confidence reposed in her.
Meanwhile, Gbenga Hashim emerged as the presidential candidate of the Accord Party after the party conducted affirmation primaries across the federation at the weekend.
Unlike the NDP, Accord completed its presidential nomination process within the period stipulated by INEC.
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