Primaries: Lawyer Warns NDC National Leadership Against Announcing Any Candidate From Enugu

A lawyer in Enugu State, Aroh Dominic, has warned the national leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, not to declare candidates for elective positions in the state, citing irregularities in the party’s primary elections.

It said the warning comes amid increasing controversy over the results of the NDC primaries held last week. The spotlight is now on the party’s national secretariat which is expected to come out with the final list of candidates.

Aroh, who wrote on behalf of an NDC member, Idoko Chidozie, alleged in a letter to the National Chairman of the party that no primary election was held in Nsukka and Igbo-Eze South Local Government Areas for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and governorship positions.

Party members had gathered at designated venues in both local government areas expecting to participate in the primaries but no party officials turned up to conduct the exercise, the lawyer said.

He said there are aspirants and supporters of the party, but there are no party officials to conduct a valid primary election.

Others later organised separate exercises which officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the police and other relevant agencies reportedly said would not be recognised, Aroh also alleged.

The lawyer said if the party tries to announce candidates for the affected posts, it would be taken to court.

He also accused the party of parading candidates when it was alleged that it did not conduct primaries in the two local government areas.

It demanded an explanation from the party within 24 hours and warned of legal action in the event of the demands not being met.

Among the reliefs being sought are the refund of monies allegedly paid by aspirants, sanctions against those responsible for the alleged irregularities and an order preventing any beneficiary of the process from being recognised as a candidate.

The NDC national leadership has however not authenticated any list of successful candidates from Enugu State.

A faction of the party in the state, led by Dr. Johnpaul Anih, had earlier released a list of winners after the primaries, while another faction is led by Ibuchukwu Obetta. Neither list has received official endorsement from the national leadership.