Imo NDC stakeholders petition party leadership over primary election 

From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

Stakeholders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Isu Local Government Area have petitioned the party’s National Chairman in Abuja, demanding the recognition of Hon. Iheme Cyprian Atata as the party’s flag bearer for the Isu State Constituency seat.

In a petition dated June 23, 2026 and signed by the Isu LGA chairman, Modestus Nwosu, and 15 other executives and caucus members, the NDC Isu chapter said the request is in the interest of the party’s electoral prospects ahead of the general elections.

According to the stakeholders, Atata “pulled the highest number of votes” during the NDC House of Assembly primaries held in May 2026 at Ofenkoro Hall, Ekwe, Isu LGA.

The group listed several grounds: that Atata participated in the May primaries and scored the overwhelming majority of votes cast; that he possesses the political, economic, and socio-cultural reach to deliver victory; and that denying him the ticket would damage party confidence among members and electorates.

 They added that Atata’s Ishi-Isu, Isunjaba Ward 1 extraction gives him a “zonal advantage” over other candidates from the Isu block. The petition also cited his character, financial capacity for logistics, education, and “100 percent capacity” to defeat other parties.

The stakeholders urged the party leadership to “do the needful” by pronouncing Atata the standard bearer. “We are agog with our teeming supporters for the pronouncement and handover of our party flag to Hon. Iheme Cyprian Atata,” the petition stated.