Follow Us on Google
…As Reps aspirant alleges irregularities in Enugu East/Isi-Uzo primary
From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Prof. James Ene-Nwannaji has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State.
Ene-Nwannaji was declared winner of the party’s governorship primary election conducted across the 17 local government areas of the state on Friday.
He defeated other aspirants in the contest, including Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa and Senator Gilbert Nnaji.
Secretary of the NDC in Enugu State, Dr. Sebastine Okafor, who announced the outcome to journalists, said the exercise was conducted in line with the directive of the party’s national secretariat.
Okafor stated that the primary elections were peaceful and complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
According to him, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the exercise across the state.
The party also announced the winners of its senatorial primaries in the three senatorial districts of the state.
Dr. Chika Obetta emerged as the candidate for Enugu North Senatorial District, while Dr. Celelia Ikechukwu clinched the ticket for Enugu East Senatorial District. Ugochi Ohajekwe was declared winner of the Enugu West Senatorial District primary.
Similarly, the party unveiled some of its candidates for the House of Representatives election.
Dr. Stephen Ugwoke emerged as candidate for Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency, while Barr. Chimezie Nwodo secured the ticket for Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency.
Kene Nnadi emerged candidate for Enugu North/Enugu South Federal Constituency, while Comrade Felix Ijegalu won the ticket for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency.
Onyebuchi Nwabueze also emerged as candidate for Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency.
The party said the names of the remaining House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates would be released later.
Reacting to the outcome of the primaries, the Chairman of the NDC in Enugu State, Dr. Johnpaul Ani, described the exercise as transparent and well-organised.
“It was conducted in line with the guidelines of the party and in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026.
“The conduct across the state was peaceful and it shows a party that is interested in winning elections. You can see the calibre of candidates we elected; these are people with character.
“They are vibrant, they are young and well positioned to win the main election,” Ani said.
He urged aspirants who lost out to accept the outcome of the exercise and work with the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We are using this opportunity to tell those who did not emerge to accept the outcome and work together with the party to win the general elections.
“All eyes now should be on the bigger election, which is coming up in January 2027,” he added.
Meanwhile, a House of Representatives aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency, Uchenna Okolo, has alleged irregularities in the party’s primary election, claiming that the exercise was marred by intimidation, venue changes and attempts to influence the outcome.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the primary election on Friday, Okolo alleged that political actors and some party stakeholders interfered with the process, making it difficult for delegates to participate freely.
According to him, party officials stopped counting delegates after tallying those who turned up for their preferred candidate.
“My supporters came out en masse to support me, but they were not counted,” he alleged.
Okolo further claimed that officials declined to announce the winner at the venue, informing participants instead that the outcome would be determined by the party’s national leadership in Abuja.
He maintained that he would have emerged victorious in the exercise, citing his grassroots support and political experience.
“I would have emerged victorious in the exercise because my grassroots support and political experience place me ahead of the other contestants,” he said.
The aspirant also questioned what he described as the inadequate security presence at the venue, alleging that certain party loyalists, rather than designated electoral officials, managed the process.
On the conduct of the parallel primary in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Okolo claimed that the venue was repeatedly changed despite an earlier agreement reached during a meeting with aspirants, creating confusion among participants.
He called on the national leadership of the NDC to review the process and ensure what he described as a fair outcome, warning that the alleged imposition of candidates could undermine the party’s prospects in future elections.
