Enugu Primaries: Lawyer warns NDC against announcing candidates over irregularities

A lawyer in Enugu State, Aroh Dominic, has cautioned the national leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) against announcing candidates for elective positions in the state, alleging serious irregularities in the party’s recent primaries.

The warning follows rising controversy over the outcome of the NDC primary elections conducted last week in Enugu State, with the party’s national secretariat expected to release a final list of candidates.

In a letter sent to the party’s National Chairman on behalf of an NDC member, Idoko Chidozie, Aroh claimed that no primary elections were held in Nsukka and Igbo-Eze South local government areas for positions including the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship tickets.

He alleged that party members gathered at designated venues across Nsukka and Igbo-Eze South in expectation of the exercise, but no party officials arrived to conduct the primaries.

According to him, although aspirants and supporters were present, the absence of election officials made it impossible for any valid primary to hold.

Aroh further alleged that some aspirants later conducted separate exercises, which officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), police, and other security agencies reportedly said would not be recognised.

He warned that any move by the party to announce candidates for the affected constituencies would be legally challenged.

The lawyer also accused the party of planning to forward names of candidates despite the alleged failure to conduct proper primaries in the two local government areas.

In the letter, he demanded a response from the party within 24 hours and threatened legal action if the issues raised were not addressed. He also called for a refund of fees allegedly paid by aspirants, sanctions against those responsible for the irregularities, and an order stopping any beneficiary of the disputed process from being recognised as a candidate.

Meanwhile, the NDC national leadership has yet to confirm any official list of candidates from Enugu State.

Earlier, a faction of the party led by Dr. Johnpaul Anih had released a list of winners from the primaries, while another faction is led by Ibuchukwu Obetta. The national leadership has not formally endorsed either list.