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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Honourable Chinedu Nsofor has rejected results of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Anambra South Senatorial primary currently circulating on social media, describing them as “unauthorized” and misleading.
In a statement issued at the weekend to journalists at his Owerri residence, Nsofor said the NDC leadership had directed that no state-level announcement of primary results should be made, stressing that only the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, has authority to publish official outcomes.
“It is therefore surprising and unacceptable that certain individuals have chosen to violate the party’s guidelines by concocting and circulating what they claim to be the results of the Anambra South Senatorial primary election,” he said.
Nsofor a former aide to the late Ohanaeze President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu said his team mobilized across the 7 LGAs of Anambra South and supporters turned out with valid membership cards. But he alleged the exercise was marred by lack of proper accreditation and the presence of non-members at some voting centres.
“Some aspirants strongly insisted that only duly accredited party members with valid membership cards should be allowed to vote. However, because party officials deployed to the senatorial district were unable to conduct a transparent accreditation process, disagreements arose, leading to the disruption of the exercise in several local government areas,” he stated.
According to him, voting did not take place in 4 LGAs, and the NDC has itself acknowledged the irregularities, which is why the National Leadership has not released any official result. He said .
He further argued that the primary “ought to have been declared inconclusive in the interest of fairness, justice and democratic principles.”
He also faulted the authenticity of the social media result, noting it failed to show scores for all aspirants.
“How can any reasonable person accept as genuine a result that failed to indicate the scores and votes obtained by all participating aspirants? This attempt to erase the participation and efforts of other aspirants is an affront to democratic principles,” Nsofor said.
He warned against aspirants parading themselves as winners of an election not fully conducted, saying it could undermine the party’s credibility.
Nsofor called on NDC leadership to “immediately call to order those responsible for violating established party guidelines” and urged the public, party faithful, stakeholders and media to disregard the purported result.
He cited former Bayelsa Governor and NDC National Leader, Sentor Seriake Dickson, stating that only aspirants whose names are officially submitted to INEC by the party can be regarded as authentic candidates.
“Until the party concludes its consultations and officially communicates its decision to INEC, no individual should parade himself as the NDC candidate for Anambra South Senatorial District,” he said.
Nsofor said his position is “not borne out of personal interest alone but out of a sincere desire to uphold justice, fairness and the values upon which our great party stands.”
