Enugu NDC splinter group conducts separate nomination process, selects Ene-Nwannaji for state governor slot

A faction of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Enugu State has conducted a parallel governorship primary election, resulting in the emergence of Prof. James Ene-Nwannaji as the party's candidate for the 2027 governorship election. This development comes as another faction of the party has yet to announce the outcome of its own primary election.

n

Dr. Johnpaul Ani, the leader of the faction, announced Ene-Nwannaji's emergence in a statement signed by the party's State Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Ugwueze.

n

The factional Secretary of the party, Dr. Sebastine Okafor, who announced the results, revealed that Ene-Nwannaji defeated other aspirants, including Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa and Senator Gilbert Nnaji, in the primary election.

n

According to Okafor, the primary election was conducted across the 17 local government areas of the state, in line with directives from the party's national secretariat, and was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

n

In the senatorial primaries, Dr. Chika Obetta emerged as the candidate for Enugu North Senatorial District, while Dr. Mrs. Celelia Ikechukwu secured the ticket for Enugu East Senatorial District.

n

Barrister Mrs. Ugochi Ohajekwe also emerged as the party's candidate for Enugu West Senatorial District.

n

For the House of Representatives elections, Dr. Stephen Ugwoke emerged candidate for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, while Barrister Chimezie Nwodo secured the ticket for Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency.

n

Barrister Kene Nnadi emerged candidate for Enugu North/Enugu South Federal Constituency, Comrade Felix Ijegalu won the ticket for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, while Barrister Onyebuchi Nwabueze emerged candidate for Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency.

n

The faction said the list of candidates for the remaining House of Representatives and State Assembly positions would be released later.

n

Reacting to the outcome of the exercise, Chairman of the faction, Dr. Johnpaul Ani, described the primaries as peaceful, transparent and in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and the party’s guidelines.

n

Dr. Ani noted that the conduct across the state was peaceful, demonstrating a party interested in winning elections, and that the elected candidates are people with character, vibrant, young and well-positioned to win the main election.

n

Dr. Ani urged those who did not emerge victorious to accept the outcome and work together with the party ahead of the general elections, stating that all eyes should now be on the bigger election coming up in January 2027.