A lawyer, Abomah Vivian, has cautioned the national leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) against announcing any candidate for positions in Enugu State, following the party's primary election held last week. The warning comes amid growing anxiety over the results of the primary, with claims that election officials did not appear at designated venues in Enugu State.
Controversy Over Candidate List
There has been controversy surrounding the list of candidates, with attention now focused on the National Secretariat of the party, which is expected to release the final list. In a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the NDC on behalf of a party member, Idoko Chidozie, the lawyer stated that any attempt to announce a candidate would be challenged in court.
Abomah specifically warned the party against announcing candidates for the positions of House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governor. This follows the alleged non-conduct of the primary election in both Nsukka and Igbo-Eze South local government areas.
Allegations of Election Irregularities
The lawyer wrote: “My client, together with other party members in accordance with the party guideline, assembled at St Theresa’s Cathedral Field, Nsukka, while people of Igbo Eze South gathered at St Theresa’s Parish, Ibagwa Aka for the State Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and Governorship Primary Election. Unfortunately, thousands trooped out to nominate the candidates of their choice but your party denied them the opportunity to do that.
“All the states and federal house aspirants were present but no official of the Nigeria Democratic Congress came to Nsukka or Igbo Eze South to conduct the party primaries. Aspirants on their own went ahead to conduct their own primaries, which the officials of INEC, Police and other statutory agencies said would not be recognised.
“Our client is worried that a party positioning itself as a credible alternative cannot conduct her own primary election. Party faithful were disappointed with your act and wondered how you intend to talk to them for your inability to meet the deadline.
“It is the brief of our client that the national and state party refused to conduct party primary in these two local governments and now they are planning to field candidates in those areas. You cannot benefit from your own deliberate mistakes.”
Threat of Legal Action
The letter continued: “The party will severely bear the brunt of their action. Let it be known that no primary election took place in Nsukka and Igbo Eze South Local Governments. Any result of House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and Governorship containing results from these two local governments will be contested in courts.” It further stressed that there was no consensus anywhere in the area.
