The nomination crisis in the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for 2027 elective offices may have deepened as over 80 aspirants of the party have declared readiness to approach the courts over alleged gross violations of the 2026 electoral act and massive extortion against them by the party.

Some of the violations include alleged inability of the party to conduct primaries for the aspirants after they were made to pay heavily and the alleged ongoing imposition of unpopular candidates in the state.

The aspirants stated that they have exhausted every internal organ of the party to seek peaceful and just resolution to issues in the state but have been met with silence and defiance, stressing that they would now explore legal options to challenge the illegalities in the state NDC.

In a communiqué they issued at the end of their meeting in Enugu on Thursday, they however, stated that they remains committed to the ideal of a New Nigeria, but would not stand by and watch the foundation of that future be destroyed by impunity in Enugu State.

Some of those who signed the communiqué include Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, Joseph Udedi, Eze Izuchukwu Alex ,Felix Chijindu Uzodinma, Obiora Obasi, Agu Cyprian Ifeanyi, Ude Kingsley Amobi, and Martin Ibeabuchi Ene.

Others are Jude Chinyeaka Ozoukeje, Tobenna Okolo, Okafor Benjamin Chinedu , Aniagboso Solomon , Chibuike Lawrence, El-Aja Ogbonnaya and Obiajulu Uja among others.

They said: “We have stated times without number that no direct primaries were conducted anywhere in Enugu State. Furthermore, there has been absolutely no attempt to engage in consensus building. These are the two strict conditions explicitly demanded by the Electoral Act of 2026 for nominating candidates. Consequently, the Enugu State NDC cannot, and must not, nominate any candidates for upcoming elections without meeting these legal requirements. Proceeding to submit names under the current circumstances constitutes a flagrant disregard for extant laws”

The aspirants stated that they had been subjected to extensive and massive financial extortion, explaining that the “the structural corruption is being perpetuated by individuals grandstanding as titular leaders of the party in the state, completely destroying the “zero-corruption” pillar upon which our movement was built”.

They had reinforced their vote of no confidence on Dr. Okwy Nwodo, Gen. Fidelis Azinta (Rtd.), John Nwokeabia and Mathias Omeh over their hold on the party in the state.

The aspirants called on the party’s Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi to “act decisively” on issues surrounding the party in the state, explaining that his “appointees and designated leaders in the Southeast, particularly in Enugu State, have failed the party miserably.

They referred to the outcome of the recent Enugu North Senatorial election where the party polled 3,000 votes against the APC’s 162,000 as a direct consequence of imposing unpopular candidates on the electorate while bypassing internal democracy. (The Guardian)

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