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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
Crisis is brewing within the Delta State chapter of the National Democracy Congress (NDC) over allegations that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) replaced legitimate assembly candidates who won the party’s primary elections.
The development has sparked widespread outrage, with constituents and indigenes of Aniocha South set to stage mass protests at the INEC office in Ogwashi-Uku, the local government headquarters.
This is coming as some elders and youths yesterday, vowed to resist any attempt to remove the original candidate chosen during the party’s congress.
While some constituents blame INEC for the discrepancies, others accuse the NDC hierarchy in Abuja of being responsible.
Specifically, they alleged that Jeffrey Ugochukwu Adigwe, who won the open primary with 286 votes, was replaced by Onochie Osheokwu, who finished fourth with 140 votes.
The official primary results were: Jeffrey Ugochukwu Adigwe (286 votes), Junior Okeleke (221 votes), Igwe Onnefa (170 votes), Onochie Osheokwu (140 votes), and Myke Enebuwa (120 votes).
Aggrieved constituents have accused the NDC leadership of colluding with chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC to subvert the election results.
Reacting to the development on Monday, Adigwe confirmed that he has briefed his legal team to challenge the replacement in court.
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“I am a party man and I have no fight with my party. The people have spoken, and I stand firmly with my people. I remain committed to pursuing our mandate through lawful and constitutional means,” Adigwe stated.
Comrade Victor Obokoh, a resident, condemned the move, stating, “In Aniocha South, the people have spoken clearly.
“They have picked Jeffrey Ugochukwu Adigwe to represent them at the Delta State House of Assembly. To abuse or overturn those votes is to tell every man, woman, and youth in Aniocha South that their voice does not matter.”
Another party member, Isioma Azubuike, labeled the substitution unacceptable, warning that members would boycott the party in the upcoming assembly elections if the decision is not reversed.
Azubuike called on the party’s leadership and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to intervene, restore Adigwe’s mandate, and secure the party’s position ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Human rights advocate Victor Anyali also criticized the substitution, calling it a direct affront to democratic principles.
He noted that the primary was conducted transparently by INEC officials and clearly reflected the preference of the electorate for Adigwe.
At the time of this report, constituents are planning a massive protest to the state headquarters in Asaba and other relevant agencies, threatening to boycott state assembly, federal, and presidential elections if the decision is not reversed.
