“I Won Clearly” — Okolo Slams NDC Primaries as Charade in Enugu

An aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, Barrister Uchenna Okolo, has claimed victory in the party’s primaries while alleging widespread irregularities during the exercise held on Friday.

Speaking to journalists at the Nike Town Hall in Enugu East Local Government Area, venue of the primaries, Okolo alleged that many of his supporters, who are registered members of the NDC, were denied access to the venue and prevented from participating in the exercise.

He called on the national leadership of the party and the party’s sole presidential aspirant, Mr Peter Obi, to intervene and address what he described as “a charade” in the conduct of the primaries for the Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency.

The NDC chieftain further alleged that suspected thugs, allegedly acting on behalf of certain “godfathers” within the party, intimidated his supporters, videographers and journalists covering the event.

According to him, although his supporters and members of the media were allegedly forced out of the venue, the large turnout of party members in his support demonstrated his popularity within the constituency.

“Even though the party said no winner should be declared here and that the result would be sent to Abuja for declaration, it is obvious that I won the primaries conducted today because people came out in large numbers for me,” he said.

“I am on the ground and I have the capacity. None of the 10 aspirants contesting for this seat has the capacity to win the main election. I have been doing this for years.”

Okolo also criticised what he described as the pattern of vote counting during the exercise, alleging that figures were manipulated.

“I thought this party was supposed to bring change to Nigerians,” he said.

“They should not declare the person they claimed won here because he does not have the capacity to win a proper election. He is not known and he is not on the ground. That is why they refused to conduct a transparent primary.”

He maintained that he remained the rightful winner of the contest.

“What I am asking from the party is to do the needful. I am the right person for this job and I am the person who won,” he added.

“Even if transparent primaries are conducted 100 times, I will still win because I am on the ground and people know me.”

Okolo further alleged that organisers repeatedly changed the venue for the primaries in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, which forms part of the federal constituency.

“If the party continues this way, we are not going to win the election. We cannot go into the election with people who are not on the ground. They cannot even win their wards,” he said.

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