… As party denies announcing results of exercise

A Governorship aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 elections in Enugu State, Gozie Ogenyi has said that the large crowds that attended the primaries in the state was evidence that the party enjoys massive support.

 

The governorship aspirant, accompanied by senatorial aspirant for Enugu North, Bishop Oscar Okwudili Ossai and other NDC chieftains in the state, was nearly mobbed by a surging supporters in Nsukka, Igbo-Eze South, Uzo-Uwani and a few other local government areas he visited during the primaries on Friday.

 

Ogenyi stated that the NDC had come to stay, stressing that he was convinced that the party would form the next government in the state.

 

Speaking to journalists at Nsukka, Ogenyi said he was glad that NDC members turned out in large numbers for the primaries.

 

“This is evidence that we enjoy massive support. It is organic. It is not a hired crowd,” he said.

 

But he quickly observed that the Committee expected to come from Enugu to conduct the primaries caused unnecessary delay in the process.

 

The Guardian observed that the crowd started gathering as early as 8am at designated locations in the state. The gathering at St Theresa Catholic Church, Nsukka was carnival like.

 

They danced and formed long queues behind their preferred aspirants. Ogenyi’s supporters formed long, winding lines with a number of his posters on display.

 

However, while waiting for the arrival of the organisers in Nsukka, the large crowds formed long queues behind their preferred aspirants.

 

A similar situation was witnessed at Ibagwa-Aka (Igbo-Eze South LGA) and Nimbo ( Uzo-Uwani LGA) when Ogenyi and his entourage visited. On sighting him at Ibagwa, the crowd hailed him, and when he stopped at the venue of the primaries enthusiastic NDC supporters began to queue behind him and sang solidarity songs.

 

NDC leaders who were expected from Enugu to conduct the primaries in Nsukka did not show up as at 5pm when the crowds started dispersing.

 

Ogenyi however, told newsmen that all attention would now be turned to the Abuja headquarters of the party, which had directed that no results of the primaries should be announced in the states.

 

Meanwhile, the party has said that it is yet to declare results of the primaries held for various positions in Enugu State.

 

National Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ikenna Morgan in a statement in Enugu, however, hailed the orderliness and peaceful conduct of the exercise in the state, saying it reflected the zeal by the people to embrace change.

 

Morgan, who was reacting to numerous online reports regarding the outcome of the exercise in Enugu state the weekend, stated that results currently circulating online are misleading and false, urging the public to disregard them.

 

“The results of the primary elections have been duly collated by the party. However, contrary to several reports being circulated online, no official announcement has been made by the National Electoral Committee or the national leadership of the party. Any individual or platform claiming to possess or announce official results is acting without authorisation,

 

“In line with the Electoral Act and the provisions of the Nigeria Democratic Congress Constitution, the names and details of all duly elected candidates will be officially submitted to INEC after the completion of the necessary internal procedures. The party remains fully committed to respecting the law and upholding democratic principles at every stage of the process”, he said

 

He said the official results remained within the custody of the appropriate party authorities and would be publicly announced through recognised constitutional channels at the appropriate time.

 

The NDC leadership cautioned party members, supporters, stakeholders, and the general public against relying on unofficial information being disseminated through social media platforms, blogs, and other unverified channels for the primaries.

 

Morgan disclosed that the primaries covered key elective positions, including those of President, Governor, Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly candidates for Enugu State.

 

He further revealed that officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present to monitor the exercise, providing additional transparency and credibility to the process.

 

“It was a direct primaries where every eligible member of party voted their choice candidate” the secretary stated.