Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the whereabouts of funds the Federal Government claimed would be freed for critical sectors following the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the fresh threat of an industrial action by university lecturers has exposed what he described as the “fraud” behind the policy.

Atiku made the allegation in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

The former Vice President said the Tinubu administration had justified the removal of fuel subsidy on the grounds that the savings would be redirected to education, healthcare, infrastructure and other essential services.

He, however, said the renewed threat of an Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, coupled with unresolved agreements, unpaid entitlements and inadequate infrastructure in public universities, had raised serious questions about the utilisation of the funds.

“If the subsidy is gone and Nigerians have paid for that decision through unprecedented hardship, then President Tinubu owes the country a simple answer: where is the money?” Atiku asked.

He argued that Nigerians had continued to bear the consequences of subsidy removal through higher fuel prices, transportation costs, food prices, energy bills and rising school fees, without seeing corresponding improvements in essential public services.

According to him, the latest ASUU strike threat has further exposed the disconnect between the Federal Government’s claims and the realities confronting the country’s universities.

Atiku said more than three years after the removal of subsidy, university lecturers were still demanding the implementation of agreements and settlement of outstanding obligations, while public universities continued to grapple with inadequate infrastructure and limited capacity.

“More than three years later, lecturers are still raising concerns over unpaid salaries and unresolved agreements. ASUU is again warning of industrial action. University infrastructure remains inadequate, while millions of young Nigerians compete every year for limited admission spaces,” he said.

The former Vice President also questioned claims that increased revenues arising from subsidy removal had translated into larger allocations to state governments.

He asked why public education remained under pressure if substantially more funds were now available to the states.

“Government officials repeatedly tell Nigerians that subsidy savings have translated into larger allocations to states. But if substantially more money is supposedly flowing to the states, why has the condition of public education not improved accordingly?” he asked.

Atiku said the problem extended beyond federal universities, noting that some state-owned institutions had also experienced industrial disputes and disruptions.

He described the situation as evidence of deeper problems in the funding and management of tertiary education in Nigeria.

The former Vice President also criticised the government’s student loan policy, arguing that rising living costs had made it increasingly difficult for Nigerian families to afford university education.

He questioned the rationale of asking students to take loans after government policies had, according to him, significantly increased the financial burden on households.

“What kind of reform first empties a family’s pocket and then offers the child a loan to survive the hardship government helped create?” Atiku asked.

He further expressed concern over the capacity of Nigerian universities to accommodate the country’s growing population, asking where new classrooms, laboratories, hostels and other teaching facilities were being provided to meet increasing demand.

“You cannot raise the cost of education, leave infrastructure inadequate, fail to settle lecturers’ legitimate claims, disregard agreements and then congratulate yourself for giving students loans,” he said.

Atiku also accused the administration of demanding sacrifices from ordinary Nigerians while allegedly granting concessions and privileges to powerful interests.

“The poor are told there is no money for subsidy. Students are told to borrow. Lecturers are told to wait. Parents are told to endure,” he said.

He maintained that Nigerians deserved greater accountability over the resources the government said would become available following subsidy removal.

According to him, the government promised that the policy would free funds for investment in education, healthcare, infrastructure and social welfare, but the continued crisis in the tertiary education sector suggests that the promised benefits have yet to fully materialise.

“The sacrifice has been collected from Nigerians in full. The promised benefits have not been delivered in full,” Atiku said.

He therefore challenged President Bola Tinubu to account for the resources freed by the removal of fuel subsidy.

Atiku said the renewed ASUU strike threat, unresolved obligations to university lecturers, inadequate infrastructure and the rising cost of education demonstrated that Nigeria’s tertiary education crisis remained far from being resolved.

“Tinubu removed subsidy from the people, but he has not removed the threat of ASUU strikes. He has not resolved the crisis of unpaid obligations. He has not sufficiently expanded our universities. He has not made education more affordable. And he certainly has not removed the hardship confronting Nigerian families,” he said.

As the September 26 local government elections in Enugu State draw closer, the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed rumours that the party would boycott the elections, insisting that its candidates remain firmly on the ballot.

The State Chairman of the party, Dr. Johnpaul Anih, made this known on Monday while speaking with newsmen in Enugu, describing the alleged boycott plan as another desperate attempt by what he described as a “committee of friends” to create confusion within the party and discourage its members from participating in the elections.

Dr. Anih urged party faithful across the 17 local government areas of the state, as well as members of the public, to disregard the rumour, stressing that the NDC remains fully committed to the September 26 polls.

According to him, the party has followed the appropriate processes for the emergence and presentation of its candidates and has no reason whatsoever to withdraw from an election for which it has prepared.

“This is yet another attempt by ‘committee of friends’ to discourage our party members from participating in the election. But, once again, their antics have failed.”

“You cannot place something on nothing and expect it to stand. There is no decision of the legitimate leadership of the NDC in Enugu State to boycott the local government election.”

“The State Working Committee under my watch remains focused, resolute and committed to ensuring that our candidates participate fully in the September 26 election. We have a responsibility to our members and to the people of Enugu State, and we will not abandon that responsibility because of rumours or distractions,” he said.

The NDC chairman further cautioned party members against relying on information circulated through unofficial channels, urging them to verify any directive concerning the election from the recognised leadership of the party.

He said the leadership of the party would continue to provide necessary guidance to its candidates and members as the election approaches.

Dr. Anih also issued a stern warning to individuals he accused of deliberately spreading false information capable of misleading party members.

“We will not allow anybody, under any guise, to mislead our members or create unnecessary confusion within the party.”

“The NDC is prepared for this election. Our candidates are prepared, our members are mobilised, and we are going to the polls on September 26. There is no boycott,” he added.

The chairman called on NDC supporters across the state to remain calm, united and focused, assuring them that the party would continue to work within the law and established electoral procedures to protect its interests and those of its candidates.

He maintained that the NDC would not be distracted by what he described as “empty threats, rumours and political theatrics,” urging the electorate to expect the party on the ballot on September 26.

As the September 26 local government elections in Enugu State draw near, the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Thursday flagged off its campaign in Oji River Local Government Area, with the party’s leadership expressing confidence in victory at the polls.

Leading the campaign team were the State Chairman of the party, Dr. Johnpaul Anih; the State Secretary, Dr. Sebastian Okafor; the party’s leader in Enugu State, Dr. SKC Ogbonnia; and other members of the State Working Committee.

Addressing the mammoth crowd at the Community Market Square, Egwu-Achi, Oji River Local Government Area, Dr. Johnpaul Anih urged the people of Oji River to come out en masse on September 26 and vote for all NDC candidates, assuring them that the party would provide a responsive, people-oriented and accountable administration at the grassroots.

Dr. Anih said the NDC had presented credible candidates with the capacity and commitment to transform the local government and improve the welfare of its people, vowing to work tirelessly to dislodge the APC and establish a government driven by the interests of the people.

He urged voters not to be deceived by political rhetoric, but to carefully assess the candidates on the basis of their character, competence, track record and commitment to the development of Oji River.

The NDC State Chairman also called on the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) and security agencies to ensure a level playing field for all participating political parties, stressing that the September 26 election should be free, fair, transparent and credible.

He further urged NDC supporters and candidates to remain peaceful and law-abiding throughout the electoral process, while charging them to take the party’s message of change and development to every ward and polling unit in the local government.

On his part, the State Secretary of the party, Dr. Sebastian Okafor, urged the people of Oji River to seize the opportunity presented by the election to elect leaders who would put the interests of the people above personal and political considerations.

Dr. Okafor said the NDC was determined to build strong grassroots structures and deliver effective representation across the 17 local government areas of the state.

The leader of the party in Enugu State, Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, while addressing the gathering, called on the people of Oji River to support the NDC candidates, describing the party as a credible platform for political change and good governance.

Dr. Ogbonnia urged the electorate to reject politicians who only remember the people during elections, stressing the need for leaders who would remain accessible and accountable to the people after assuming office.

He expressed confidence in the ability of the NDC candidates to secure victory in the election, urging party supporters to remain united and committed to the campaign until the final votes are cast.

The Chairman of the NDC in Oji River Local Government Area, Hon. Anderson Emerole, thanked the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee for its commitment to strengthening the party and taking the campaign to the grassroots.

He said the people of Oji River were ready for a new political direction and assured the state leadership that the local government would deliver massive support for the party at the September 26 poll.

The party’s chairmanship candidate for Oji River Local Government Area, Bishop James Jideofor, assured the people of a responsive, inclusive and people-centred administration if elected.

Bishop Jideofor promised to prioritise grassroots development, improve the welfare of residents and work with relevant stakeholders to address the pressing needs of communities across the local government.

He appealed to the people of Oji River to entrust their mandate to the NDC, promising that the party’s administration would remain accountable to the electorate.

The campaign also featured addresses by other party leaders and candidates, who called on residents to support the NDC at the polls.

Hghlight of the campaign was the official presentation of Bishop James Jideofor as the NDC chairmanship candidate, alongside his running mate, Hon. Alison Nwankwo and the party’s 20 councillorship candidates to the enthusiastic crowd.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state has reiterated the commitment of his administration to youth development, describing it as one of the most effective ways of eradicating poverty, improving productivity and preparing young people for the future.

Governor Mbah stated this on Thursday during his tour of the ongoing six-week digital training and specialised skills acquisition programme organised by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development and Mobilisation, Charles Nnaemeka Edeh, in partnership with CUTECH Group of Companies.

The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, stated that his administration was working tirelessly with young people to impart knowledge and basic digital skills that would improve their lives and enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.

He said what Hon. Edeh and CUTECH Group were doing was in line with the State Government’s vision of ensuring that Enugu youths were equipped with relevant and practical skills that would make them more productive and self-reliant.

Prof. Onyia praised the organisers for their visible and impactful efforts towards changing the lives of young people, while assuring that the training space would be expanded to accommodate more participants in the future.

He also assured that the government would explore ways of making the programme a recurring initiative, possibly holding it three times a year, particularly during school holidays, to give more young people the opportunity to acquire and improve their skills.

“Youth development is a direct investment in the future of Enugu State. When young people gain practical skills, they become more productive, more confident and better prepared to contribute meaningfully to the economy and society,” he said.

In his remarks, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development and Mobilisation, Charles Nnaemeka Edeh, said the programme was designed to build a comprehensive youth development framework that would reach young people not only in Enugu metropolis but across the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State.

He stated that youth development was not an expense but an investment, adding that his office had accepted the responsibility of using youth development and mobilisation as important tools for making a meaningful impact in the state.

According to him, “This programme is only one step in a much broader vision. We want to ensure that talent does not remain undiscovered simply because a young person comes from a rural community or lacks access to opportunity. Every young person in Enugu deserves a chance to dream, a chance to learn and a chance to succeed.”

Hon. Edeh also assured that the State Government, through his office, remained committed to changing more lives through training and capacity building.

“When we train a young person, we are not only changing one life. We are potentially changing a family, a community and, ultimately, the future of our state. The Enugu we are building must be a state where young people are not merely waiting for opportunities but are equipped to create them.”

“A state where our youths can compete anywhere in the world while proudly contributing to the development of Enugu. A state where talent meets opportunity, skills meet investment, and ambition meets the right platform.”

Addressing the gathering, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CUTECH Group, Engr. Collins U. Onu, stated that the programme was part of his company’s corporate social responsibility initiative aimed at creating a positive impact on the people of the state.

He disclosed that more than 1,500 people applied to participate in the exercise, but only 200 were selected due to the organisation’s limited capacity.

He said the company was considering expanding the programme to accommodate an additional 60 youths in subsequent editions.

“The training is focused on giving young people practical skills that can improve their opportunities and help them become productive members of society,” Onu said.

He added: “We believe that young people should be given the right tools and knowledge to build a better future.”

According to him, “Skills acquisition is one of the practical ways to prepare our youths for the opportunities ahead.”

He said the company was committed to supporting initiatives that create positive change in the lives of young people.

“This programme gives young people an opportunity to learn skills that can become useful in their daily lives,” he said.
Onu further noted that “capacity building is important for the growth and development of our communities.”

He added: “Young people with the right skills can create opportunities for themselves and others. Our goal is to support young people as they develop the confidence and skills needed to succeed,” he

He described training young people as “a meaningful way of contributing to the development of the state.”

According to him, “Every young person deserves access to opportunities that can help them discover and develop their talents.”
He stressed that “digital skills have become important in today’s world, and our youths must not be left behind.”

Onu said CUTECH Group was “happy to partner with the State Government in providing this opportunity to young people.”
He maintained that “corporate social responsibility should go beyond business and contribute directly to society.”

He further observed that “the response to this programme shows that many young people are eager to learn and improve themselves.”
He expressed hope that “more young people will be reached as the programme expands.”

Highlights of the event included presentations by various groups on the skills they had acquired during the training. The areas covered included baking, various aspects of construction, computer software development and hardware repairs, audio and visual editing, fashion design and marketing, photography, among others.

The practical presentations demonstrated the impact of the training and the potential of skills acquisition to equip young people with knowledge that can be transformed into sustainable sources of income.

Some dignitaries at the event included the Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters, Rt. Hon. Paul Nnajiofor; Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Publication; Special Assistant to the Governor on Speech Writing, Hon. Amuka Acj; Special Assistant to the Governor on Youths and Student Affairs, Hon. Prisca Okeke; and other government officials and stakeholders.

The Enugu State Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Johnpaul Anih, has dismissed reports purporting the suspension of Dr. SKC Ogbonnia from the party, describing the claim as baseless, mischievous and the handiwork of individuals who have no authority within the NDC.

Dr. Anih, who spoke on Saturday while addressing journalists in Enugu on the party’s preparedness for the forthcoming elections, said Dr. Ogbonnia remains a respected leader and prominent stakeholder in the Enugu State chapter of the NDC.

According to him, there is no decision of any properly constituted organ of the party suspending Dr. Ogbonnia, stressing that the purported suspension did not emanate from the legitimate leadership of the NDC in the state that emerged through a valid congress monitored by INEC.

He further clarified that at no time has Dr. SKC Ogbonnia been suspended or expelled from the NDC, and at no time has he engaged in any anti-party activity or conduct capable of warranting such disciplinary action.

Anih said Dr. Ogbonnia remains a bona fide and valued member of the party, adding that there is therefore no basis whatsoever for the purported suspension.

He described individuals behind the alleged suspension as a “faceless group” whose pronouncement carries no weight because, according to him, its members are neither recognised party officials nor authorised to take disciplinary decisions on behalf of the NDC.

“Dr. SKC Ogbonnia remains a respected leader of our party. Nobody should be deceived by the antics of individuals who have no constitutional authority to suspend or discipline any member of the NDC.

“How can people who are not members of the party wake up and announce the suspension of a respected party leader? On what authority? Who mandated them? Where is the resolution of the appropriate party organ?” Dr. Anih queried.

The NDC chairman urged party members, supporters and the public to disregard the purported suspension, insisting that the party remains focused on strengthening its structures and mobilising its members ahead of the upcoming elections.

He said the NDC under his leadership would continue to operate in accordance with the party’s constitution and applicable electoral laws, while ensuring that legitimate party organs are respected.

“The NDC is bigger than the personal ambitions of any individual. We will not allow people who are outside the recognised structure of the party to create confusion, mislead our members or undermine the credibility of our leadership,” he said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Enugu State NDC leadership to a robust and issue-driven campaign, saying the party was fully prepared to participate in the forthcoming elections and would continue to engage voters across the state.

Dr. Anih also called on NDC members to remain calm, united and focused, assuring them that the leadership would continue to provide the necessary direction as the party intensifies its preparations for the elections.

By SKC Ogbonnia

The historic passage of the 2026 Nigerian Electoral Act brought a wave of democratic optimism. It offers a framework where strict adherence to legal processes ensures the masses truly choose their leaders. The Act aims to provide a level playing ground for all–particularly for women and the youths. Yet, the unfolding crisis within the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) threatens to derail this progress, setting a dangerous precedent of institutional lawlessness.

This crisis has produced two factions within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State. On the one side is the NDC State Working Committee led by Dr. JohnPaul Anih, a 32-year-old former University student union leader with a massive youth following. This group emerged through a valid congress monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the NWC.

On the other side is a rival faction led by Comrade Ibuchukwu Obeta and backed by Dr. Okwy Nwodo—a former Governor of Enugu State and former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). This group claims national backing from the NDC leadership but has faced pushback from party stakeholders who insist on constitutional, congress-based leadership.

This scenario highlights a classic clash between internal party democracy and top-down political maneuvering. It begs the following two contending legal questions:

First, does a candidate nominated by a party structure which did not emerge through a valid congress from a state but is endorsed by the National Working Committee (NWC) qualify for Nigerian elections?

The answer is a resounding, legally fortified, and unequivocal no. The truth is that the Supreme Court has firmly established that the National Working Committee (NWC) does not possess the legal authority to arbitrarily bypass a valid, INEC-monitored state congress to impose or recognize a parallel executive.

Second, does a political party organ that emerged from a valid congress have the locus standi to sponsor candidates in a Nigerian election without NWC authorization?

The answer is a resounding, legally fortified, and unequivocal no. Under Nigerian electoral law and Supreme Court jurisprudence, the NWC is the only body legally empowered to execute and submit the official nomination forms (such as INEC Forms EC9 and EC9B) to the (INEC).

There goes the dilemma! The objective fact is that the NDC Enugu State Chapter currently has no valid candidates for the 2027 elections.

Under the Electoral Act 2026, the statutory rules governing the nomination of candidates are ironclad. In Enugu State, the NDC has been rocked by an explosive split that highlights the deep structural rot threatening to consume not only the party’s electoral fortunes, but also attempts to ridicule the new electoral law.

The Genesis of Discord: A Repeat Playbook of Hostile Takeovers

As a primary stakeholder and firsthand witness to this unfolding political drama, the root of this crisis traces back to a highly aggressive, unconstitutional power grab. The problem ignited when party leaders from the Enugu African Democratic Congress (ADC)—operating under Prof. Uche Akubue—moved alongside Peter Obi into the NDC. By then Dr. JohnPaul Anih had emerged as the Chairman of the NDC with his executive through a congress monitored by the party’s national body as well as the INEC.

The smoking gun of this entire crisis occurred in my very presence during the very first meeting of the defecting ADC executives under the NDC banner. In that assembly, Prof. Akubue openly and brazenly declared that his incoming team would completely take over the structure of the NDC, from the state executive level down to the localized ward levels. Prof. Akubue, a close ally of Dr. Okwy Nwodo, positioned his team to execute what resembles a hostile political coup against the existing leadership, bypassing all democratic party channels and local cadres. Today, as promised, with the sole exception of Comrade Ibuchukwu Obeta—the protem Chairman of the Enugu NDC who was retained by the Nwodo group for ‘interesting’ reasons—virtually all defecting ADC executives have kept their respective positions in the new party.

This is a carbon-copy repeat of a highly specific political playbook. Exactly the same way the Akubue/Nwodo alliance previously hijacked the ADC structure under Comrade Stella Chukwuma is precisely the same way they have attempted to dismantle and takeover the NDC structure under Dr. JohnPaul Anih.
Furthermore, the propaganda narrative following the Akubue/Nwodo hostile maneuvers is always identical. They mask their own illegality by falsely alleging that their victims are sponsored by the Enugu State Government. Next is the twin prejudice of sexism and ageism. In the case of Mrs. Stella Chukwuma, it was said that a female chairperson could not deliver Enugu State for a political party. Similarly, Dr. Anih, a 32-year-old PhD holder, was viewed as too young to lead a strong opposition party.

As an uncompromising advocate for electoral integrity, I invested heavily to determine if any outside forces were involved, only to find zero evidence. The deceptive strategy all along aims to gaslight the public and divert attention away from their raw assault on internal democracy.

It is necessary to state here that neither Nwodo nor Akubue had any personal malice against Dr. JohnPaul Anih. Having successfully maneuvered the chairmanship of ADC from Enugu West to their home zone of Enugu North, the Nwodo/Akubue alliance sought to replicate same in NDC, as Dr. Anih hails from the Enugu East, the zone widely expected to produce the governorship candidate of the party. Yet, even as the decision might have made sense socially and politically, it was legally and ethically untenable, setting the stage for a profound crisis.

A House Divided: Legitimacy vs. Imposition

As a result of this hostile entry, the Enugu NDC has splintered into two fiercely competing factions, each locked in a war of attrition over the soul of the party:

The De Jure Structure (The Valid Congress Faction): This authentic faction is led by Dr. JohnPaul Anih, who was elected alongside 28 other executives at a widely recognized state congress. While local Enugu stakeholders and delegates have overwhelmingly passed a vote of confidence in the Dr. JohnPaul Anih-led State Working Committee, he tragically lacks the desired backing of the national party hierarchy.

The Imposed Structure (The Hijacked Faction): Standing in direct opposition is the artificial, parallel structure led by Akubue’s ally, Dr. Okwy Nwodo, and Comrade Ibuchukwu Obeta. Despite fierce local resistance and widespread outcries of severe manipulation and the presentation of a handpicked candidate list, the Nwodo/Obeta group–which a legal luminary referred to simply as “Committee of Friends”–used its star power to influence the party’s central administrative machinery to endorse it.

The G80 Outcry: A Voice for Founding Visions and Integrity
Adding fuel to this raging political inferno is the recent, explosive outcry by the G80—a formidable, independent forum of over 80 aggrieved Enugu NDC aspirants who refuse to let the soul of the party be traded away. Far from being a mere faction, the G80 operates as an unyielding watchdog, fiercely insisting on strict adherence to electoral integrity. Their mission is explicitly aligned with the core founding visions of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and the widely celebrated standpoint of the party’s presidential ticket of Mr. Peter Gregory Obi and Dr. Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In a scathing public indictment, the G80 openly criticized the process taking place under the umbrella of the Nwodo-led parallel structure. Taking their grievance a step further, the coalition of aspirants formally passed a ringing vote of no confidence on the triad of Dr. Okwy Nwodo, Major-Gen. Azinta (Retd), and Mr. John Nwokeabia for their central roles in engineering this undemocratic saga. By rejecting the legitimacy of this triad, the G80 has signaled that frontline political aspirants will no longer tolerate backroom operations that violate the party’s foundational ethical pillars.

The Double Jeopardy of the Nwodo Faction: A Twin Legal Fatality.

The legal challenges facing the Nwodo faction do not merely represent a minor procedural misstep; they constitute a textbook case of double jeopardy under Nigerian electoral law, delivering a two-fold fatal blow to their candidates:

1. The Structural Fatality (No Valid Congress):

First, the Nwodo group is completely detached from the authentic state congress. Because their foundational structure was built on parallel, unconstitutional air to forcefully install the Akubue-Nwodo alignment rather than following local party guidelines, they lack the legitimate party executives required by law to administer any internal processes. They are structurally dead.

1. The Procedural Fatality (No Valid Primaries): Second, even if their structure were somehow recognized, the group has fundamentally failed to execute the next mandatory legal step. They have not conducted any valid direct primary, indirect primary, or consensus arrangement as strictly ordered by the Electoral Act 2026.
This is where the trap snaps shut. Because the Nwodo faction bypassed the legal congress, they do not possess genuine, card-carrying delegates to cast votes in an authentic primary.

Simultaneously, because they completely excluded the G80 and other local stakeholders, they cannot legally claim a consensus-candidate path. By failing both to build a lawful party structure and to execute a lawful voting exercise, the Nwodo group has violated every single candidate nomination process provided by the law.

The Limbo of Ambiguity: Why No Aspirant is a Candidate

Because of these compounding irregularities, not a single aspirant within the Enugu State NDC can lawfully claim candidate status today. Under Nigerian electoral jurisprudence, a “candidate” is not merely someone who wins a contested room or receives a factional blessing; a candidate is a legal entity born from a flawless, statutory process. Today, the Enugu NDC exists in a state of absolute legal paralysis:

The De Jure Trap: While Dr. JohnPaul Anih’s faction boasts the only validly conducted local congress, the national party hierarchy’s refusal to fully back his leadership means any candidate list he generates risks facing steep bureaucratic resistance at the gates of the INEC headquarters.

The Imposed Delusion (“Nwodo Committee of Friends”) :

Conversely, while the national leadership fully embraces the structure endorsed via the star power of Dr. Okwy Nwodo and Comrade Ibuchukwu Obeta, their foundational congress lacks the required legal compliance, and their failure to hold a valid primary completely dismantles their claims. Any candidate produced by this parallel machinery is merely carrying a placeholder ticket—a ticket that the courts will inevitably shred.

The Judicial Artillery: Firepower of Supreme Court Precedents

Desperate politicians who believe they can short-circuit the rule of law should read the legal handwriting on the wall. Nigerian jurisprudence provides an unforgiving antidote to candidate imposition through four landmark judgments:

The Ultimate Trap: APC v. Marafa (2019) 11 NWLR (Pt. 1681) 1

This stands as the most catastrophic precedent in Nigerian political history regarding internal party lawlessness. Following deep factional warfare and parallel primaries in the Zamfara State chapter of the APC, the Supreme Court delivered a merciless ruling. The apex court held that since the party failed to conduct a legally valid, unified primary in accordance with the law, it technically had no candidates in the election. The court famously voided all votes cast for the APC, stripping winners of their mandates and handing over every single elected position in Zamfara State—including the Governorship—to the runner-up party.

The Hijacked Organ: Emeka v. Okadigbo (2012) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1331) 55

Rogue state factions and imposed structures often falsely believe they hold the keys to candidate nomination. In this historic case, the Supreme Court firmly established that only the National Working Committee (NWC) or the authentic national executive organ of a political party possesses the constitutional power to conduct congresses and submit valid names to INEC. Any congress, delegate list, or parallel primary arranged by an unauthorized state-level splinter group or hijacked local executive committee is treated by the law as an absolute nullity.

The Fruit of a Poisoned Tree: Ugba v. Suswam (2014) 14 NWLR (Pt. 1427) 264

This judgment reinforces the classic legal maxim ex injuria jus non oritur—you cannot build a legitimate structure on an illegal foundation. The Supreme Court ruled that if the foundational ward and local congresses that produced the party delegates were structurally illegal, fraudulent, or conducted in violation of party guidelines, those “delegates” lack any legal capacity. Consequently, any subsequent primary election where these illegal delegates vote is toxic, and any candidate produced by them is disqualified by extension.

The Jurisdictional Shield: Lado v. CPC (2011) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1279) 689

While courts generally avoid meddling in a political party’s internal affairs, this precedent carved out a strict exception based on the rule of law. The apex court ruled that where a party flagrantly violates its own internal constitution, excludes statutory stakeholders, or willfully breaches its electoral guidelines during a congress, the courts retain full jurisdiction to step in, protect disenfranchised aspirants, and strip the resulting fraudulent candidates of their recognition.

A Call to Order: Saving the Mandate

The Enugu NDC crisis serves as a sensational and blazing warning to the Nigerian political class. It proves that the era of political impunity is facing a brutal legal reckoning. While political godfathers and incoming defectors may attempt to ignore Dr. JohnPaul Anih’s validly established congress in order to force an unconstitutional structure down the throats of the electorate, the law remains an unyielding executioner of fraudulent mandates.

To avert a self-destructive crisis, all party faithful, national executives, and the independent advocates of the G80 must urgently halt this drift into illegality. The only viable path forward is to dismantle the transactional, imposed structures of the defecting faction and rally behind the authentic, legally compliant state structure led by Dr. JohnPaul Anih.

Engaging with Dr. Anih reveals an exceptional intellectual brilliance and strategic foresight capable of steering the Enugu NDC to greater heights and guaranteeing a legitimate victory at the polls. In the high-stakes arena of Nigerian elections, process dictates legitimacy. Attempting to build a structure on a non-existent congress invalidates the party’s mandate long before the first ballot is cast.

Fortuitously, the law provides a clear escape route. By leveraging the statutory window for the submission and substitution of candidates, the party can still achieve critical harmonization. We must act now to align our official INEC submissions with internal party democracy, choosing legal compliance over judicial annihilation.

SKC Ogbonnia, Enugu West Senate Aspirant, writes from Ugbo, Enugu State, Nigeria.

The lingering leadership crisis rocking the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as more than 80 party aspirants under the umbrella of the Enugu G80 formally declared their total support for the State Working Committee led by the Chairman, Dr. Johnpaul Anih.

The endorsement followed an extraordinary virtual meeting of the coalition held on Monday, August 3, 2026, where members unanimously resolved to recognize the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive as the authentic leadership of the party in Enugu State.

The G80, described as a coalition of over 80 aspirants drawn from different political blocs within the party, said its decision was reached after a careful review of the circumstances surrounding the leadership dispute and extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders.

According to the communique adopted at the meeting, the coalition concluded that the executive led by Dr. Johnpaul Anih remains the only leadership produced through a valid state congress conducted on May 4, 2026, in compliance with the party’s constitution and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The group maintained that the legitimacy of that congress cannot be displaced by any parallel arrangement or externally imposed structure.

The forum further announced the unconditional endorsement of the Anih-led executive, describing the decision as one driven by justice, equity, constitutional order and respect for internal democracy.

As part of the resolutions, members agreed to dissolve their individual political structures into the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led leadership in order to build a united and formidable platform capable of strengthening the party across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State.

The aspirants also pledged financial, moral and political support to the State Executive in its ongoing efforts to consolidate the party and defend what they described as the democratic mandate freely given by party members during the state congress.

Addressing the forum, Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, who briefed members on the outcome of recent engagements with Dr. Johnpaul Anih and other stakeholders, urged party faithful to remain united in the interest of the party and the advancement of democratic values.

The coalition disclosed that it would immediately forward an official letter to the National Leader of the party, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, formally communicating its endorsement while urging the national leadership to respect the outcome of the validly conducted congress and restore constitutional order within the Enugu State chapter.

In the letter signed by the group’s coordinator, Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, NDC Senatorial aspirant for Enugu West Zone, and Chief Charles Solomon Ako, NDC House of Reps aspirant for Igboetiti/Uzouwani federal constituency, the G80 appealed to the national leadership to reaffirm the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee as the legitimate leadership of the party in Enugu State, reject attempts to create or sustain parallel executive structures and ensure that all party organs recognize the executive produced through the congress.

The coalition also called for the harmonisation of candidates produced by the two factions in line with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution, insisting that any harmonisation process must be anchored on the executive that emerged from the validly conducted congress.

In a strongly worded warning, the G80 cautioned individuals and groups against actions capable of undermining the unity and stability of the party in Enugu State.

The coalition declared that it would resist every attempt to impose parallel leadership structures, insisting that only executives produced through constitutional processes possess the legal and moral authority to administer the affairs of the party.

The group further maintained that respect for internal democracy remains indispensable to the survival of the NDC, arguing that allowing unelected structures to supersede validly elected executives would erode members’ confidence and weaken the party ahead of future elections.

The latest endorsement adds to growing support for the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Executive, coming barely weeks after party stakeholders, State Working Committee members and local government chairmen unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the leadership, citing its grassroots mobilisation efforts and commitment to strengthening the party in Enugu State.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State, Dr. Johnpaul Anih, on Tuesday led the party’s campaign flag-off in Aninri Local Government Area ahead of the forthcoming local government elections slated for September 26.

Dr. Anih, accompanied by members of the State Working Committee, stormed Aninri to officially inaugurate the party’s campaign in support of its chairmanship candidate, Hon. Edward Onu Nwonye, and the party’s ten councillorship candidates.

The event, which attracted a massive crowd of party faithful, supporters, youths, women and community leaders from across the local government areas, turned into a carnival-like atmosphere as residents came out in large numbers to welcome the NDC leadership.

Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, Dr. Johnpaul Anih expressed confidence in the party’s chances of recording a landslide victory in the September 26 local government elections.

He described the overwhelming turnout as a clear indication that the people of Aninri had embraced the Nigeria Democratic Congress as the credible alternative capable of delivering purposeful leadership at the grassroots.

He urged party members to remain united, disciplined and focused throughout the campaign period, emphasizing that victory could only be achieved through hard work, peaceful engagement and sustained grassroots mobilization.

Dr. Anih also issued a stern warning to the All Progressives Congress (APC), cautioning the party against any attempt to intimidate voters, manipulate the electoral process, or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections.

According to him, the era of using threats, coercion and electoral malpractice to influence election outcomes was over, insisting that the people of Enugu State were determined to defend their votes and ensure that their collective will prevailed at the polls.

He called on the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) and security agencies to provide a level playing field for all political parties and to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, transparent and credible manner.

The NDC State Chairman assured the electorate that the party’s candidates possess the competence, integrity and vision required to transform governance at the grassroots and deliver quality representation through people-oriented policies and programmes.

In his remarks, the NDC chairmanship candidate for Aninri Local Government Area, Hon. Edward Onu Nwonye, appreciated the state leadership of the party for its unwavering support and confidence in his candidacy.

He pledged to run an inclusive and development-driven administration if elected, promising to prioritize infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, agriculture and rural development.

The Chairman of the party in Aninri LGA, Hon. Stephen Ajah thanked the state leadership and assured of victory come September 26 elections.

Highlight of the campaign flagoff was the presentation of the party’s candidates to the people.