Ticket tussle rocks Anambra NDC over Anaocha 1 constituency seat

Confusion is brewing within the Anambra State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) concerning the party's ticket for the Anaocha 1 Constituency seat in the Anambra State House of Assembly. The controversy pits the current serving member, Nkechi Ogbuefi, against a rival, Azubuike Okoye, both vying for the party's nomination.

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one Azubuike Okoye has been parading himself as a candidate while in actuality, he neither purchased the form of the party, did not take part in the screening process nor did he participate in the primary elections of the party.

Ogbuefi, who also holds the position of Deputy Minority Leader in the Anambra State House of Assembly, asserts that she participated in the party's primary election and was duly nominated. She claims that her rival, Azubuike Okoye, has been falsely presenting himself as the candidate, despite allegedly not purchasing party forms, undergoing screening, or participating in the primary elections. Ogbuefi stated she joined Peter Obi when he moved to the Labour Party and subsequently to the NDC.

Adding to her claims, Ogbuefi mentioned that resolutions were made during the primaries to grant automatic tickets to all serving members, a process she followed. She further stated that a court affirmed her as the winner of the party's primary elections after another candidate challenged the outcome. The party leadership, including Anambra Chairman Chief Ikem Uzoezie, has reportedly supported Ogbuefi, with Uzoezie stating that Peter Obi personally endorsed her candidacy.

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After the primary elections, I was returned and duly nominated as candidate for Anaocha 1 Constituency. But one Azubuike Okoye has been parading himself as the candidate of the NDC while in actuality, he neither purchased the form of the party, did not take part in the screening process, nor did he participate in the primary elections of the party.

However, Okoye remains optimistic about his candidacy, asserting his name is on the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) register. Ogbuefi countered this by alleging that Okoye had previously purchased forms and participated in primary elections for the House of Representatives under the APGA party, before attempting to claim the NDC ticket. The situation remains contentious as both candidates assert their legitimacy for the Anaocha 1 Constituency seat.

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The Court ultimately affirmed me as the winner of the primary elections of the party. The party also stated that at no time was Azubuike Okoye’s name submitted as a candidate. He did not purchase the form of the party, and he did not take part in the screening of aspirants of the party and did not participate in the primary elections.