Abia NDC Primaries: Alleged Ikoawaji’s Manipulation of Okwulehie’s Result, Extortion Claims Threaten Party’s Integrity Ahead of 2027
“The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is facing mounting pressure to investigate allegations of result manipulation, candidate substitution, and financial inducement following its controversial State Assembly primaries in Abia State. With the party’s credibility and reformist image on the line, stakeholders warn that failure to address the claims could damage public trust ahead of the 2027 elections.”
Fresh controversy has continued to trail the recently concluded State House of Assembly primary elections of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Abia State, as aggrieved party members and stakeholders raise concerns over allegations of result manipulation, extortion, and the alleged imposition of candidates.
The development, political observers warn, could pose a serious threat to the credibility and integrity of the party if not urgently investigated and addressed by the national leadership.
At the centre of the controversy are electoral officers reportedly deployed from Abuja to supervise the exercise, led by Chief Asukewe Ikoawaji, Chairman of the party’s Electoral Committee. Some party stakeholders have alleged that the committee’s handling of the primaries fell short of expectations and may have compromised the transparency of the exercise.
Sources within the party alleged that some aspirants were subjected to financial exploitation, while the names of certain winners were allegedly substituted after the conclusion of the voting process.
Particularly contentious is the outcome of the primary election in Umuahia Central State Constituency, where supporters of Hon. Eze Okwulehie insist that he emerged victorious but was allegedly denied the party ticket.
The perceived manipulation was reportedly masterminded by the Chairman who hauls from Rivers State.
According to party sources, Okwulehie and Hon. Andrew Chilaka were the two successful aspirants cleared to participate in the primary after the screening process.
An anonymous party source alleged that the outcome was altered in favour of Chilaka, who is said to hail from Ihitte-Uboma in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
The source claimed that financial inducements influenced the final decision of the electoral committee.
“We learnt that almost N45 million was allegedly paid to the electoral committee chairman to replace Okwulehie’s name. The people of Umuahia Central are surprised that someone who did not emerge a winner could allegedly be imposed on them,” the source alleged.
The source further claimed that Chief Ikoawaji left Abia State for Abuja before the conclusion of the primary election process and before the official signing and release of results.
Speaking on the development, a visibly disappointed Okwulehie maintained that he won both the screening exercise and the primary election.
According to him, the Returning Officer publicly declared him winner, while the Electoral Committee Chairman allegedly congratulated him after the exercise.
“When we underwent the screening process, I came first. Four aspirants were disqualified and only two of us were cleared. My name was first on the list and Chilaka’s was second.
“After the primary election, I was declared winner by the Returning Officer. The Chairman of the Electoral Committee also congratulated me. However, when we requested the result sheet, we were asked to return the following morning.
“When we arrived at the hotel around 6:30 a.m., we were informed that the chairman had already left as early as 5:30 a.m. We later saw him on national television in Abuja while the primary processes were still ongoing,” he alleged.
As of the time of filing this report, the Electoral Committee Chairman and the national leadership of the party had not publicly responded to the allegations.
Political analysts have cautioned that failure to transparently investigate the claims could undermine public confidence in the party, especially at a time when it seeks to present itself as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Moreso, observers note that the NDC’s reputation is closely tied to its presidential standard-bearer, Peter Obi, whose public image has largely been built on integrity, accountability, transparency, and adherence to democratic principles.
Many stakeholders argue that allowing allegations of electoral irregularities within the party to go unaddressed could erode the moral authority upon which the party has sought to distinguish itself in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Consequently, party faithful and concerned observers are calling on the National Working Committee of the NDC to launch an independent investigation into the allegations, publish the authentic results of the Abia primaries, and ensure that justice is served in order to protect the party’s credibility and strengthen internal democracy.
For many members, the manner in which the party handles the controversy may ultimately determine whether it is perceived as a true champion of democratic values or merely another political platform struggling with the same challenges it has long criticized in others.
Meanwhile, our Famous Reporters.com who monitored the exercise at Muffin hotel stated that Okwulehie defeated his opponent, having pulled over 600 votes.
