Aspirant for the Idemili North and South Federal Constituency seat on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, popularly known as Ugonecheora, has rejected the outcome of the party’s primary election held on May 29, insisting that no valid primary election took place in the constituency.
In a petition to the NDC Election Appeal Panel, Ikokwu called for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the exercise, alleging that violence, intimidation, and organizational failures prevented party members from freely choosing their candidate.
She urged the panel not to declare either Mr. Eric Anyamene or Hon. Uche Okonkwo as the winner of the primary, arguing that the process failed to meet the standards of a credible democratic exercise.
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“I respectfully call on the Election Panel to immediately investigate the roles played by unruly candidates, their agents, and supporters in the disruption of the process,” she said.
Ikokwu further requested disciplinary measures against any individual found responsible for sponsoring violence, intimidation, or actions capable of undermining the party’s internal democratic process.
She also called for a probe into the conduct of party officials responsible for organizing and coordinating the election, accusing them of failing to effectively manage the process.
“I demand that the failed exercise be declared inconclusive. Mr. Eric Anyamene should not be declared winner. Hon. Uche Okonkwo should also not be declared winner,” she stated.
According to the aspirant, declaring either of the contenders as the party’s candidate would amount to endorsing a process allegedly marred by irregularities and criminal acts.
“It will be a fraudulent choice if the NDC names either Mr. Anyamene or Hon. Okonkwo as winner for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency because the party would have chosen them through brazen criminal acts contrary to natural justice, equity and good conscience,” she added.
Providing details of the events that unfolded on the day of the primary, Ikokwu alleged that confusion over the designated venue in Idemili South created uncertainty among party members, delegates, and supporters.
She claimed that conflicting information regarding the location of the election hampered participation and that the eventual discovery of the venue was followed by poor coordination, lack of accreditation procedures, and inadequate supervision.
The situation, she alleged, escalated when supporters of rival camps engaged in violent activities, causing panic and forcing many party members to flee.
Ikokwu specifically accused supporters loyal to Anyamene of creating an atmosphere of intimidation and insecurity, alleging that clashes between rival groups made it impossible to conduct a free, fair, and credible election.
She further claimed that many of her supporters, who reportedly arrived at the venue as early as 10 a.m., were unable to cast their votes before the exercise collapsed around 1:30 p.m.
The aspirant also alleged that similar disruptions occurred in Idemili North, where she said her campaign materials were destroyed and supporters intimidated.
Ikokwu maintained that no direct primary election was successfully conducted across the constituency and urged the NDC leadership to declare the exercise inconclusive pending a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu
Idemili North and South Federal ConstituencyNDC Election Appeal PanelNigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)
