A senatorial aspirant under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has lodged a petition before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), accusing members of the party’s senatorial screening committee of allegedly obtaining N20 million through fraudulent inducement, coercion, and misrepresentation.
Sources familiar with the development said the petition was submitted at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, with the aspirant alleging that he was pressured into making the payment despite having fulfilled all official requirements for participation in the party’s nomination process.
The identity of the aspirant has been withheld due to the ongoing investigation.
According to details contained in the petition, the complainant stated that he had earlier purchased the NDC Expression of Interest and Nomination Form for N3 million, in line with the party’s published guidelines, and had completed all stipulated screening procedures.
However, he alleged that members of the senatorial screening committee later demanded an additional N20 million payment, which he described as unauthorized and obtained under undue pressure.
Documents reportedly attached to the petition included a handwritten instruction containing bank details linked to the party, indicating an account name bearing the NDC and an FCMB account number, into which the N20 million was allegedly directed.
The aspirant further claimed that he made the payment after being subjected to what he termed coercive persuasion by members of the committee, who allegedly represented the payment as a condition for final clearance in the nomination process.
Legal representatives of the aspirant, according to sources, have urged the EFCC to investigate the matter, describing it as a case involving alleged conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, undue influence, and fraudulent inducement.
“The matter revolves around misrepresentation and coercive pressure allegedly exerted on our client during the senatorial screening process,” a source familiar with the petition stated.
The development adds to growing controversy surrounding internal nomination processes within political parties, particularly allegations of financial inducements linked to candidate selection.
In recent weeks, the political landscape has also been unsettled by parallel accusations involving prominent political actors, including claims and counterclaims about financial transactions during party primaries.
One of such disputes has drawn public attention to the opposition camp of prominent politician Peter Obi, following allegations made by a political associate, which have since triggered legal threats and counter-responses.
As of press time, the EFCC had yet to issue an official statement on the petition, while the NDC screening committee had also not responded to the allegations.
The anti-graft agency is expected to review the petition alongside submitted documents to determine whether a formal investigation will be launched.
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