As parallel leadership claims threaten to tear the Enugu State chapter apart, factional Chairman Dr. Johnpaul Anih petitions Senator Seriake Dickson and Peter Obi to safeguard the party’s authentic structure.
The Enugu State factional Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Johnpaul Anih, has made an urgent appeal to the national leadership of the party to decisively intervene in the fierce leadership crisis currently rocking the state chapter.
Speaking during a media briefing in Enugu on Monday, Dr. Anih vehemently defended his position, insisting that he remains the only authentic chairman of the state executive committee, having emerged through a legally valid state congress.
His declaration follows a competing claim by another prominent party chieftain, Mr. Ibuchukwu Obetta, who maintains that he is the substantive state chairman and argues that all lingering internal disputes were conclusively put to rest during the NDC National Convention held recently in Abuja.
Rejecting Obetta’s claims, Dr. Anih explained that a series of grassroots congresses culminated in a transparent state-level election held at the Aborigen Hall and Premises in Enugu, where delegates unanimously voted him into office. He emphasized that the exercise was fully verified and monitored by statutory authorities:
“Our leadership emerged through a valid congress and remains the authentic leadership of the NDC in Enugu State. We possess video evidence of the authentic congress that produced me and my executive members, an exercise conducted by a committee appointed by the national leadership of the party and witnessed by security agencies, INEC officials, and the media.”
The factional leader alleged that a desperate cabal is attempting to hijack the young opposition party’s regional assets through unconstitutional means, a development he says has triggered unnecessary confusion among the grassroots base.
Dr. Anih also directed heavy criticism at the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osa Director, accusing him of orchestrating a malicious smear campaign filled with unfounded allegations of fraud and impersonation. He boldly challenged the national spokesman to present any verifiable evidence proving that his leadership sold unauthorized nomination or expression of interest forms to political aspirants.
Furthermore, Dr. Anih raised an alarm over corrupt financial practices within the state, alleging that certain desperate aspirants were being forced to pay ₦400,000 into a personal bank account belonging to a self-proclaimed pro-tem chairman.
To address these irregularities, Anih confirmed he had dispatched formal petitions dated May 11 and May 12 to the National Chairman of the party, Senator Seriake Dickson, with copies sent directly to the party’s 2027 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
While confirming that both leaders have duly acknowledged receipt of his letters, Dr. Anih urged the national executive committee to strictly uphold Section 12(17) of the NDC Constitution, which mandates that pioneer officers must remain in their roles until a valid congress replaces them.
He concluded by warning party faithful and aspirants against dealing with parallel groups, stating that his executive committee will proceed with its scheduled primary elections later in the week in strict line with national directives.
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