JUST IN: Ikokwu Rejects NDC Primary Outcome, Says No Election Held in Idemili North/South Constituency
By OGB Joseph, Abuja
Aspirant for the Idemili North and South Federal Constituency seat on the platform of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, popularly known as Ugonecheora, has rejected the outcome of the party’s primary election conducted on May 29, insisting that no valid election took place in the constituency.
In a petition addressed to the NDC Election Appeal Panel, Dr. Ikokwu urged the party not to declare any winner from the exercise, describing the process as chaotic, inconclusive, and inconsistent with democratic principles.
She specifically called on the panel to investigate the roles allegedly played by rival aspirants, their supporters, and party officials in the disruption of the exercise.
“I respectfully call on the Election Appeal Panel to immediately investigate the roles played by unruly candidates, their agents, and supporters in the disruption of the process,” she stated.
Dr. Ikokwu further urged the party to sanction any individual found culpable of sponsoring violence, intimidation, or any actions capable of undermining the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process.
She also demanded a probe into the conduct of party officials responsible for organizing and coordinating the primary election, alleging that their failure to properly manage the process contributed significantly to the confusion and eventual collapse of the exercise.
According to her, neither Mr. Eric Anyamene nor Hon. Uche Okonkwo should be declared winner of the primary election.
“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 said.
“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.”
Providing details of the events that unfolded, Dr. Ikokwu alleged that confusion characterized the process from the beginning, particularly regarding the designated venue for voting in Idemili South.
She claimed that party members, delegates, and supporters received conflicting information about the location of the exercise, creating uncertainty and delaying the commencement of voting.
According to her, when participants eventually located the venue, they were met with poor coordination, inadequate accreditation procedures, and a lack of effective supervision, factors she said prevented the election from taking place as scheduled.
The situation reportedly worsened when supporters of rival aspirants allegedly engaged in violent clashes, creating panic and forcing many party members to abandon the venue for fear of their safety.
Dr. Ikokwu accused supporters of Mr. Anyamene of creating an atmosphere of intimidation and disorder, alleging that videos were recorded showing individuals chanting campaign slogans despite no voting process taking place at the time.
She further alleged that clashes between rival groups rendered the environment unsafe and unsuitable for the conduct of a free, fair, and credible election.
According to her, supporters who had arrived as early as 10 a.m. were unable to cast their votes before the exercise eventually collapsed around 1:30 p.m.
She maintained that a similar situation occurred in Idemili North, where she alleged that hired thugs disrupted the process and destroyed campaign materials belonging to her supporters.
Dr. Ikokwu insisted that no direct primary election took place in either Idemili North or Idemili South that would justify the declaration of any candidate as the party’s flag bearer.
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