By Chinedu Adonu
ENUGU — A faction of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Enugu State has conducted a parallel governorship primary election and produced Prof. James Ene-Nwannaji as its candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
The development came as another faction of the party was yet to release the outcome of its primary election.
The faction led by Dr. Johnpaul Ani announced the emergence of Ene-Nwannaji in a statement signed by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Ugwueze.
The factional Secretary of the party, Dr. Sebastine Okafor, who announced the results, said Ene-Nwannaji defeated other aspirants, including Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa and Senator Gilbert Nnaji.
Okafor said the primary election was conducted across the 17 local government areas of the state in line with directives from the party’s national secretariat.
According to him, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, monitored the exercise.
In the senatorial primaries, Dr. Chika Obetta emerged as the candidate for Enugu North Senatorial District, while Dr. Mrs. Celelia Ikechukwu secured the ticket for Enugu East Senatorial District.
Barrister Mrs. Ugochi Ohajekwe also emerged as the party’s candidate for Enugu West Senatorial District.
For the House of Representatives elections, Dr. Stephen Ugwoke emerged candidate for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, while Barrister Chimezie Nwodo secured the ticket for Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency.
Barrister Kene Nnadi emerged candidate for Enugu North/Enugu South Federal Constituency, Comrade Felix Ijegalu won the ticket for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, while Barrister Onyebuchi Nwabueze emerged candidate for Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency.
The faction said the list of candidates for the remaining House of Representatives and State Assembly positions would be released later.
Reacting to the outcome of the exercise, Chairman of the faction, Dr. Johnpaul Ani, described the primaries as peaceful, transparent and in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and the party’s guidelines.
“The conduct across the state was peaceful and it shows a party that is interested in winning elections. You can see the calibre of candidates we elected; these are people with character.
“They are vibrant, they are young and well positioned to win the main election.
“We are using this opportunity to urge those who did not emerge victorious to accept the outcome and work together with the party ahead of the general elections. All eyes should now be on the bigger election coming up in January 2027,” Ani said.
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