Enugu NDC primary: Aspirants cry foul as allegations of manipulation rock exercise

Hours after the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, commenced its primary election across the country, some of the aspirants in Enugu State, under the faction led by Ibuchukwu Obetta, are crying out over alleged manipulation.

Across the different venues where the exercise was scheduled in the state, aspirants said they have waited for hours without any official arriving at the venue.

Videos of party members waiting endlessly in most of the venues have been trending on social media.

Some of the aspirants have already announced themselves as winners.

One of the aggrieved aspirants, Obeta Davidwilliams, had a few hours ago announced that he had withdrawn from the process, citing alleged manipulation.

According to him, “The level of malpractice and manipulation currently unfolding within the NDC is without exaggeration, among the most disturbing political spectacles I have witnessed in recent times.”

In another location, Mr Mathias Ezeaku, who is seeking the ticket for Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency, claimed that he won the election, but that a key member of the official took away the result sheet.

A video trending online showed him alleging that: “I won the primary election of Federal House of Reps in Uzo-Uwani and I also won in Igbo-Etiti but when the party official is about to write the result, Prof Abukue ran away with the result.”

His claims were followed by chants of “we no go gree o”, “winner oooo, winner”, by his supporters.

Meanwhile, there are also allegations that a former governor of Enugu State, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo submitted a list of his preferred candidates to the party.

Those claimed to have been favoured in the list were a retired Permanent Secretary, Chinyeaka Oha as the preferred governorship candidate, while Princes Ada Ogbu is favoured as Senatorial candidate of Enugu East.

Others captured in the alleged list were Bishop Oscar Osai chosen for Enugu North Senate seat and Barr. O. A. U Onyema for the Enugu East.

A former Reps member, Pat Asadu was reportedly not favoured in the list.

The list in circulation also contains other names: Dr. John Nwokeabia for Oji River/Aniri/Awgwu Federal Constituency, Barr Agubuzu for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Barr Fide Ani is for Igbo Etiti/ Uzo Uwani Federal Constituency, while the duo of Ikembuchukwu Nwodo and a retired Federal Director, Uche Aneke were reported to have been dropped to pave the way for Nwodo’s kinsman, Dr Clinton Ide for Igbo Etiti East State Constituency.

As of the time of filing this report, the Obetta faction of the party has not announced any winner from the exercise.

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