The Anambra chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has been enmeshed in a crisis over the party’s ticket for the Anaocha constituency-I seat in the forthcoming election.
The crisis followed claims by the incumbent member representing the constituency in the Anambra House of Assembly, Ms Nkechi Ogbuefi and another aspirant, Mr Azubuike Okoye, over who is the authentic candidate of the party.
Ogbuefi, who is also the Deputy Minority Leader of the House, briefed newsmen on the development in Awka.
Anaocha constituency-I is the constituency of Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election.
Ogbuefi said she participated in the NDC primary election and was duly nominated as the party’s candidate for the constituency.
She alleged that Okoye had been parading himself as the party’s candidate despite not purchasing the party’s nomination form, undergoing screening or participating in the primary election.
“I joined Mr Peter Obi when he moved to the Labour Party and also joined him when he became a member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
“We had our primary election and it was resolved that all serving members must be given automatic tickets
“Like other sitting members, I was given the nomination form and participated in the primary election.
“After the primary election, I was returned and duly nominated as the candidate for Anaocha-I Constituency,” she said.
Ogbuefi further alleged that Okoye purchased a nomination form from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and participated in its House of Representatives primary, but later began presenting himself as the NDC candidate for the State Assembly.
She said another aspirant approached the Federal High Court in Abuja through an originating summons, following which the NDC appeared before the court and affirmed her as its candidate.
“The court ultimately affirmed me as the winner of the primary election of the party.
“The party also stated that at no time was Okoye’s name submitted as its candidate. He did not purchase the form of the party, take part in the screening or participate in the primary election,” she said.
Ogbuefi said the NDC Chairman in Anambra, Mr Ikem Uzoezie, had advised her to disregard Okoye’s claim, adding that Obi personally sent her name to the party chairman as the candidate.
Efforts to reach Uzoezie for his reaction were unsuccessful, as several calls to his phone were unanswered. Text and WhatsApp messages sent to him were also not acknowledged.
However, Okoye declined to join issues with Ogbuefi, saying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would soon publish the official list of candidates submitted by political parties.
“In the next one week, INEC will publish the list of candidates for the election.
“My brother, I cannot say anything now, and I cannot say I am the candidate of the party. I do not want to join issues with those claiming to be candidates of the party in Anaocha constituency-I until INEC publishes the list of candidates sent by the party to the commission.
“So, I want reporters to remain calm because if I say I am the candidate and INEC publishes another name, what sense does it make?” he said.
