Enugu NDC Primary: Candidates Protest Alleged Manipulation of the Election Process

Shortly after the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) began its primary elections nationwide, aspirants in Enugu State—particularly those aligned with the Ibuchukwu Obetta faction—have voiced concerns over alleged manipulation.

Across the various venues scheduled for the exercise, candidates reported waiting for hours without any official representatives arriving. Videos of party members standing idle in several locations have circulated widely on social media.

Some aspirants have already declared themselves winners. One aggrieved candidate, Obeta David Williams, announced a few hours ago that he was withdrawing from the process, citing “the level of malpractice and manipulation currently unfolding within the NDC” as “one of the most disturbing political spectacles I have witnessed in recent times.”

In another venue, Mathias Ezeaku—running for the Igbo‑Etiti/Uzo‑Uwani Federal Constituency—claimed victory but said a key party official seized the result sheet. A trending video shows him stating, “I won the primary election of Federal House of Reps in Uzo‑Uwani and I also won in Igbo‑Etiti, but when the party official was about to write the result, Prof Abukue ran away with the result.” His supporters shouted “we no go gree o,” “winner oooo, winner.”

Additional allegations involve former Enugu State governor Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, who is said to have submitted a list of preferred candidates to the party. According to the circulated list, the retired Permanent Secretary Chinyeaka Oha was favored as the governorship candidate, while Princes Ada Ogbu was named the preferred senatorial candidate for Enugu East. Other names on the list include Bishop Oscar Osai for the Enugu North Senate seat and Barr. O. A. U Onyema for Enugu East. Former House member Pat Asadu reportedly did not appear on the list.

The list also names Dr. John Nwokeabia for the Oji River/Aniri/Awgwu Federal Constituency, Barr Agubuzu for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, and Barr Fide Ani for the Igbo Etiti/Uzo Uwani Federal Constituency. It further reports that Ikembuchukwu Nwodo and retired Federal Director Uche Aneke were dropped to make way for Nwodo’s kinsman, Dr. Clinton Ide, for the Igbo Etiti East State Constituency.

At the time of writing, the Obetta faction has not yet announced a winner from the primary exercise.