The national leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected as false and unauthorised the results of its primary elections in Enugu State currently circulating on social media platforms.
The party, however, maintained that its primary elections across the state were successfully conducted in a transparent and democratic manner.
Speaking to journalists in Enugu on Sunday, the National Secretary of the party, Mr Ikenna Morgan, explained that the exercise held on Friday through a direct primary system, allowing eligible party members to vote for candidates seeking various elective offices, including the presidency, governorship, senate, house of representatives and state assembly seats.
Morgan stated that the process was carried out in strict accordance with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution. He added that officials of the party’s National Electoral Committee from Abuja supervised the exercise, while representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the proceedings.
According to him, the primaries were conducted peacefully and transparently, with all procedures adhering to the party’s guidelines and relevant electoral laws.
He further disclosed that vote collation and verification had been completed, noting that the official results remained with the appropriate party authorities and would only be released through constitutionally recognised channels.
Morgan urged aspirants, party members and the public to disregard information being circulated through unofficial platforms, including social media and blogs.
He stressed that although the results had been collated, neither the National Electoral Committee nor the party’s national leadership had made any official declaration.
“Anyone claiming to have access to or authority to announce the official results is acting outside the mandate of the party,” he said.
The party secretary reassured all contestants that due process, fairness and transparency would guide the conclusion of the exercise.
He added that the names of successful candidates would be forwarded to INEC after all internal administrative and ratification procedures had been concluded in line with legal requirements.
Reports had emerged on Friday from some social media platforms publishing purported winners of the NDC primaries in Enugu State without official approval.
The disputed results were reportedly circulated by a group led by JohnPaul Anih, which claims to be the legitimate leadership of the party in the state. However, the NDC national leadership has reiterated that the group is not recognised by the party and reaffirmed Mr Ibuchukwu Obetta as the duly recognised state chairman.