The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State has concluded its primary elections for all elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Hon. Dona Nwogbo emerging as the party’s governorship candidate in a process party leaders described as peaceful, transparent and devoid of rancour.
The final collation of the primaries, held at the party’s designated collation centre in Enugu, attracted party officials, stakeholders and supporters following the direct primary elections conducted across wards in the state.
Speaking after formally declaring the winners of the various primaries, the Returning Officer for the Enugu State PDP Primary Elections, Dr. Yerima Idachaba, commended party members for the orderly conduct and peaceful atmosphere that characterised the exercise across the state.
“By the grace of God, as you are there, you can see I’ve declared the winners of this primary. By next year, the election itself will commence in full,” he stated.
Dr. Idachaba said the exercise recorded massive participation without any form of violence or disruption.
“You can see the thing went smoothly. The turnout was impressive. All the places we visited, there was no any form of violence or fight or anything. I think that is one of the best things that has happened today,” he added.
The returning officer further maintained that the primaries were conducted strictly in line with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.
“By the electoral act, you know what the electoral law says? It’s a direct primary system. So that is what is embedded in the constitutions,” he said.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of the PDP in Enugu State, Barr. Steve Oruruo, described the exercise as the successful climax of the party’s statewide direct primary process.
“What happened here today was a final collation of PDP primaries, which actually emanated from different wards via direct primaries. But of course, the collation was a grand finale,” he said.
According to Oruruo, the conduct of the primaries reflected the PDP’s commitment to fairness, equity and credible leadership recruitment.
“It was a glamorous act that marked the end of an exciting election in terms of primaries. And this is the quality of PDP that was presented without rancour, with fairness and equity and responsibility and good character in the control of the processes,” he stated.
He blamed poor leadership in the country on flawed party primary systems, insisting that the Enugu PDP had demonstrated a credible democratic process.
“The warped values and poor leadership traits that we have witnessed over the years are just mere products of bad primaries of parties. So today we have presented a primary devoid of rancour and quarrel and skirmishes of any kind,” Oruruo added.
The PDP chairman also maintained that the party’s leadership crisis had been resolved through judicial pronouncements.
“The leadership of this party has since secured a judgment that has never been vacated in the High Court. Beyond this, the Supreme Court nailed it with the final judgment that clearly made it visible that it is the BOT led by former President Wambara that controls the PDP,” he said.
According to him, any structure operating outside the recognised leadership framework remained illegal and invalid.
“Any other thing violates the law, any other thing is tantamount to nullity before the law. Any other party acting contrary to the stipulations of the Supreme Court is acting null and void and of no effect,” he added.
Barr. Oruruo further expressed confidence in the PDP’s chances ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that Nigerians were gradually returning to the party because of the current economic hardship and insecurity in the country.
“PDP markets itself. History markets PDP. Today we face existential threats in the nation, where people can’t travel from one end to the other,” he stated.
“PDP reminds us that the bag of rice was N8,000 and that the last time we bought fuel under PDP it was N87, amongst many other things,” Oruruo added.
He also disclosed that former President Goodluck Jonathan would emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.
“Come Saturday, Goodluck Jonathan will be unanimously elected by the PDP to re-enact the same feat that kept Nigeria going,” he declared.
Dr. Idachaba thereafter formally announced the winners of the senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly primaries conducted across Enugu State.
The senatorial candidates announced by the returning officer are Barr. Basil Aguigwo for Enugu West, Dr. Nwatu Anthony for Enugu East and Lady Asogwa Beatrice for Enugu North Senatorial District.
For the House of Representatives, the candidates announced include Hon. Isaac Onoyima for Igboeze South/Nsukka Federal Constituency; Hon. Nwatu Chukwudi for Nkanu East/West; Hon. Lilian C. Ugwuoke for Enugu East/Isi Uzo; Hon. Onah Uchechukwu for Aninri/Awgu/Orji River; Hon. Nnaji Erobuike K. for Enugu North/South; Chief Cosmas Onyia for Udi/Ezeagu; Hon. Anikezie Michael for Igbo Etiti/Uzo Uwani; and Hon. Eze Ephraim C. for Udenu/Igbo Eze North Federal Constituency.
For the State House of Assembly, the returning officer announced Hon. Okorie Uchenna N. for Aninri; Hon. Mba Emmanuel for Enugu South Urban; Hon. Ezeoha Amara for Enugu South Rural; Arch. Emengini Dumebi for Ezeagu; Hon. Eneali Amobi V. for Enugu North; Hon. Ogbu Patricia O. for Nkanu East; Hon. Nnanyelugo Oliver U. for Orji River; Hon. Ezea Valentine for Nsukka East; Hon. Arua Chinonso Ernest for Nsukka West; Hon. Ikechukwu Nnaji for Nkanu West; Hon. Eze Ejike for Udenu; Hon. Luke Nweze for Enugu East II; Hon. Ezike Stephen Obuna for Igbo Etiti East; Hon. Nwabulje Isaiah for Uzo Uwani; Mrs. Ede Chinyere for Isi Uzo; Hon. Ali Ifeanyichukwu for Igboeze North II; and Dr. Aishatu Ezeani for Udi South.
