Abia NDC Primaries: Atulomah Urges Calm Amid Result Manipulation Claims
By Charity Uwakwe
“Political tensions are mounting within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Abia State following allegations of result manipulation and candidate substitution during the party’s recently concluded primaries. As aggrieved aspirants demand answers arising from the state Assembly primaries election held on Friday, May 29, the party’s state chairman, Chief Ako Atulomah, has appealed for calm.
He urged dissatisfied members to pursue their grievances through established party mechanisms while assuring them that all petitions will receive fair consideration.”
Political tensions are mounting within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Abia State following allegations of result manipulation and candidate substitution during the party’s recently concluded primaries.
As aggrieved aspirants demand answers, the party’s state chairman, Chief Ako Atulomah, has appealed for calm, urging dissatisfied members to pursue their grievances through established party mechanisms while assuring them that all petitions will receive fair consideration.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Famous Reporters.com at the party secretariat in Umuahia, Atulomah described the primary election as a constitutional requirement for political parties and acknowledged that some aspirants were dissatisfied with the outcome.
“The primary election is a routine exercise that every political party must conduct to fulfill its constitutional obligations. What took place yesterday was part of that process,” he said.
Atuloma noted that complaints had already begun reaching the party leadership and assured members that all petitions would be reviewed.
“We have received petitions from aspirants, and we intend to examine them thoroughly. Where genuine concerns are identified, the party will take appropriate action. Our goal is to preserve the unity and harmony that existed before the primaries and ensure that the process does not create unnecessary divisions,” he stated.
According to him, internal dispute-resolution mechanisms remain the best avenue for addressing concerns arising from the exercise.
“Anyone dissatisfied with the outcome should follow the appropriate procedures by submitting an appeal or petition for review. If these issues are not properly managed through the party’s internal processes, it may become difficult for us to move forward collectively.”
On reconciliation efforts, Atulomah expressed confidence that the party leadership would restore unity among members.
“Politics is about give and take. We will continue engaging our members and stakeholders to ensure that the spirit of harmony we enjoyed before the primaries is restored and sustained,” he said.
Responding to concerns over candidate substitution, Atulomah explained that the party’s constitution provides mechanisms for replacement under specific circumstances.
“The constitution makes provisions for situations such as voluntary withdrawal or death of a candidate before an election. In such cases, there are established procedures for replacement. No political party deliberately creates such situations.”
The party chairman also dismissed reports that some stakeholders staged a walkout during the primaries, stating that no such incident was officially reported to him.
“I am not aware of any walkouts. I was at the office monitoring developments, and no one officially reported such an incident to me.”
Meanwhile, Famous Reporters.com gathered that allegations have emerged claiming that national officials deployed from Abuja to conduct the May 29 primaries were seen on national television during a 9 p.m. news broadcast while the electoral exercise was reportedly still ongoing in Abia State.
Sources further alleged that some officials engaged in corrupt practices, including extortion and the manipulation of election results through the substitution of names of candidates who were allegedly declared winners at their respective polling venues.
In Umuahia Central State Constituency, it was alleged that Sir Eze Okwuleghie was declared winner after votes had been collated and counted by the Returning Officer. Similarly, in Umuahia South, Sir Kennedy Mgbaja was reportedly announced winner following the conclusion of voting.
According to the allegations, both candidates requested copies of their results but were advised by electoral officials to return the following day to collect the official documents.
However, upon returning to the designated collation centre, they and several other aspirants from different local government areas allegedly discovered that the results had been altered and their names replaced.
The affected aspirants contend that the alleged actions undermined the democratic process and deprived them of victories they had legitimately secured at the polls.
The NDC leadership has yet to officially respond to the specific allegations of result manipulation and candidate substitution.
The development has sparked concerns among political observers and members of other parties, some of whom believe the controversy could provide opposition parties with an opportunity to capitalize on any perceived divisions within the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Some stakeholders questioned the allegations of result manipulation, arguing that such claims, if proven, would be inconsistent with the democratic ideals the party publicly espouses. Others urged the party leadership to thoroughly investigate the complaints and take necessary steps to restore confidence, unity, and cohesion among members.
Concerned observers further warned that unresolved disputes and perceptions of irregularities could adversely affect the party’s electoral prospects in the 2027 general elections. They stressed the importance of safeguarding the party’s credibility, particularly given its association with prominent figures such as Peter Obi, whose public image has largely been built on integrity, transparency, and accountability.
