A frontline aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat, Ambassador Lotanna Ikebunwa, has called on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to declare him winner of the party’s primary election.
Ikebunwa, who spoke in an interview, claimed that he secured the highest number of votes during the primary election held on May 29 and urged the party leadership to uphold what he described as the mandate freely given to him by party members.
He expressed concern over the delay in announcing the outcome of the exercise, alleging that officials deployed to conduct the primary election compromised the process after it became evident that he enjoyed widespread support across the federal constituency.
According to him, available video evidence shows that the electoral process was manipulated after it became clear that his popularity had surpassed that of other aspirants in the three local government areas that make up the constituency.
Ikebunwa said he was prepared to present the evidence before the appropriate party authorities to ensure justice is served. He added that the party’s commitment to service should not be undermined by actions capable of nullifying the wishes of members who participated in the primary election.
The aspirant also dismissed claims that another contender had been endorsed by the party to emerge as its candidate, insisting that such a move would be contrary to the principles of internal democracy.
He maintained that the aspirant allegedly being considered for the ticket did not secure the mandate of party members and would struggle to deliver victory for the party in the constituency.
Providing details of the election, Ikebunwa claimed he polled over 1,000 votes in Nnewi North Local Government Area and 503 votes in Nnewi South. He further alleged that the vote-counting process in Ekwusigo Local Government Area was disrupted before completion, although 59 votes had already been recorded in his favour.
“I scored above 1,000 votes in Nnewi North. Party members stood by me and voted for me. I secured 503 votes in Nnewi South. In Ekwusigo, the counting process was not concluded in my line, and the mandate of the people was deliberately truncated when it became clear that I was also leading in that local government area,” he said.
Ikebunwa stated that he expects the NDC to submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming House of Representatives election.
He urged the NWC to recognise and announce the aspirant who secured the highest number of votes, warning that any attempt to impose a candidate who did not emerge victorious at the primary would be challenged through legitimate channels.
The aspirant called on the party leadership to safeguard the integrity of its internal democratic process and ensure that the candidate who received the majority of votes emerges as the party’s flag bearer.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the NDC leadership had not publicly responded to the allegations made by the aspirant
