Enugu NDC Crisis: Anih Seeks Dickson, Obi Intervention

The factional Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Enugu State, Dr. Johnpaul Anih, has appealed to the national leadership of the party to intervene in the leadership dispute affecting the state chapter.

Dr. Anih made the appeal during a news briefing in Enugu, where he insisted that he remained the authentic chairman of the party in the state, having emerged through what he described as a validly conducted congress.

The development follows claims by another party chieftain, Mr. Ibuchukwu Obetta, who had earlier declared himself the substantive chairman of the party in Enugu State.

Mr. Obetta had maintained that all disputes surrounding the leadership of the party in the state were resolved during the party’s National Convention held in Abuja.

However, Dr. Anih argued that the authentic congresses of the party in Enugu State culminated in the state congress conducted at Aborigen Hall and Premises in Enugu, where he said he was duly elected chairman.

According to him, the congress was conducted by a committee appointed by the national leadership of the party and was monitored by security agencies, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and members of the media.

“We possess video evidence of the authentic congress that produced me and my executive members,” Dr. Anih stated.

He alleged that certain individuals were attempting to hijack the structure of the party in the state through unconstitutional means, adding that the actions had created confusion within the Enugu chapter of the NDC.

Dr. Anih also accused the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Osa Director, of issuing what he described as a malicious publication against him, including allegations bordering on impersonation and fraud.

He challenged the party spokesman to provide evidence to support allegations that he sold nomination and expression of interest forms to aspirants.

The factional chairman further alleged that some aspirants in the state were being compelled to pay four hundred thousand naira into a personal account allegedly controlled by a purported pro-tem chairman.

“These issues require proper investigation by the national leadership,” he said.

Dr. Anih disclosed that he had written separate letters dated May 11 and May 12 to the National Chairman of the party, Senator Seriake Dickson, and copied the party’s 2027 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, seeking intervention in the crisis.

“These letters were duly acknowledged,” he added.

He appealed to the national leadership of the party to uphold the provisions of the party constitution, particularly Section 12 subsection 17, which, according to him, provides that initial officers of the party remain in office until congresses are conducted.

He maintained that no other valid congress had taken place in Enugu State apart from the one that produced him and members of his executive committee.

Dr. Anih also alleged that an attempt to organise another congress in the state was stopped by a court order.

He urged party members and aspirants in the state to recognise only his leadership, warning against dealings with any other group claiming to represent the party in Enugu State.

“Our leadership emerged through a valid congress and remains the authentic leadership of the NDC in Enugu State,” he said.

He further disclosed that the state chapter under his leadership would proceed with its scheduled primaries later in the week in line with directives from the national leadership of the party.