Aspirants of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Imo State have alleged that the party's National and State Assembly primaries were manipulated, accusing the electoral panel of failing to conduct a credible exercise. The allegations were detailed in a petition read during a press briefing in Abuja by a former House of Representatives member, Dist. Rev. Dr. Uche Nwole, who represented Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2003.
Petition Details and Signatories
The petition, signed by Nwole and other aggrieved aspirants including Barrister Charles Onyeagbako, Tony Okpe, Dr. Nworgu, and Mr. Nwulu, was addressed to the Chairman of the NDC Appeal Committee. Copies were also sent to the party's National Leader Seriake Dickson, Chairman Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, presidential candidate Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Allegations Against the Electoral Panel
The aspirants alleged that the electoral panel led by Chief Babatunde Ali was compromised and influenced by a party chieftain to favor selected candidates. According to Nwole, who is seeking the ticket for Imo East Senatorial District, the panel had informed aspirants during a meeting at the party secretariat in Owerri that primaries would be conducted via consensus or direct primaries across wards.
When the consensus arrangement failed, aspirants returned to their local government areas to await direct primaries. However, the exercise was never held as scheduled. “We mobilised and waited for the returning officers to conduct the direct primary, and we never saw a single member of the panel throughout the night and early morning,” Nwole said.
Claims of Irregularities
The petitioners alleged that while no official electoral panel was present at designated venues, local government party chairmen and executives conducted primaries, collated results, and forwarded them through the state structure to the national headquarters. They claimed that members of the electoral panel were instead sighted at a political figure's residence in Emekuku, Owerri, where alternative results were allegedly prepared and transmitted to Abuja.
The aspirants also accused panel members of switching off their phones and avoiding contact with key party officials, including the state chairman and local government executives. They described the alleged outcome as an “imposition” and warned that it could undermine the party's chances in Imo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Demands and Warning
The petitioners urged the NDC Appeal Committee to investigate the allegations, determine whether due process was followed, and disregard what they described as “purported and forged” results submitted by the electoral panel. They called on the party leadership to recognize only results allegedly produced at the grassroots level and ensure a transparent resolution of the dispute. The aspirants warned that failure to address the grievances could deepen internal divisions and weaken the party's electoral prospects in the state.
