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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The leadership crisis rocking the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) deepened on Monday as the state chairman of the party, Dr Johnpaul Anih, fired back at the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Osa Director, over allegations of impersonation and fraud.
Addressing journalists during a press conference in Enugu, Anih dismissed the allegations against him as “laughable” and “malicious”, insisting that he remains the authentic chairman of the party in the state.
He said, “My attention has been drawn to a laughable disclaimer and malicious publication issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Osa Director Esq., in which I was falsely accused of impersonation, fraud, and illegally parading myself as the chairman of the party in Enugu State.
“Ordinarily, I would have ignored such reckless allegations, but silence in the face of falsehood would amount to surrendering the truth to political opportunists bent on hijacking the party through intimidation, propaganda and backdoor arrangements.”
Anih maintained that he emerged through a valid congress conducted by officials delegated by the national leadership of the party.
According to him, the authentic state congress took place at Aborigen Hall and Premises in Enugu in the presence of security agencies, electoral officials and members of the media.
“That congress produced me as chairman of the NDC in Enugu State. Although we were brutally attacked by thugs allegedly sponsored by the same individuals bent on hijacking the party structure by force, they failed woefully.
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“We possess video evidence of the authentic congress that produced my executive members and me, as conducted by the Congress Committee assigned by the national leadership of the party,” he stated.
The NDC chairman also accused some individuals at the national secretariat of attempting to conduct fresh congresses in the state despite the existence of a valid leadership structure.
He disclosed that some party officials allegedly wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking approval to conduct fresh ward, local government and state congresses in Enugu State before the process was halted by a court order.
“For emphasis, there was no known congress conducted anywhere in the state, as the attempted illegitimate exercise never took place, having been effectively stalled by the court”, he added.
Anih further challenged the National Publicity Secretary to provide evidence supporting allegations that he sold nomination and expression of interest forms to aspirants.
“I challenge the National Publicity Secretary to provide evidence of any individual to whom I sold expression of interest or nomination forms, as he falsely claimed in his publication, or be ready to face the legal consequences,” he declared.
Despite the crisis, Anih insisted that no amount of intimidation or political pressure would force him to abandon the mandate given to him by party members.
“I remain committed to the growth, stability and electoral success of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Enugu State,” he said.
