Tension is mounting within the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) following allegations by a senatorial aspirant, Hon. Uche Ben Odunzeh, that there may be attempts to alter the outcome of the party’s primary election in the Orlu Senatorial Zone.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Odunzeh called on the national leadership of the party to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, alleging that credible information available to him suggests that some individuals may be planning to announce figures that do not reflect the actual results recorded during the primaries.
The aspirant said he considered it necessary to alert party leaders, stakeholders and the public in order to protect what he described as the freely expressed will of party delegates.
“I wish to draw the attention of the National Leadership of the NDC, party stakeholders, and the general public to credible information suggesting that there may be plans by certain individuals to announce fabricated figures as the official results of the Orlu Senatorial Zone primaries,” Odunzeh stated.
According to him, he possesses what he described as authentic results from across the senatorial zone, backed by extensive video evidence and documentation obtained during the collation process.
“As a committed party member and aspirant who has participated in the process in good faith, I consider it necessary to state clearly that I am in possession of the authentic results from across the senatorial zone, supported by extensive video evidence and documentation from the collation process,” he said.
Odunzeh further claimed that the records in his possession show that he emerged victorious in eight local government areas within the zone.
“These records indicate that I secured victory in eight Local Government Areas within the zone,” he declared.
While reaffirming his commitment to the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms and democratic principles, the aspirant warned that any attempt to alter the outcome of the exercise would amount to a betrayal of the delegates who participated in the process.
“While I remain committed to the internal mechanisms of the party and the principles of democracy, I must emphasize that any attempt to alter, manipulate, or announce concocted figures that do not reflect the actual outcome of the primaries would be a grave injustice to the delegates who freely exercised their democratic rights,” he said.
He therefore urged the national leadership of the NDC to ensure that only results that can be independently verified are recognised and announced.
“I therefore call on the National Leadership of the NDC to ensure that only genuine and verifiable results are recognized and announced. The integrity of our party depends on transparency, fairness, and respect for the wishes of our members,” Odunzeh stated.
The senatorial hopeful also appealed to his supporters across the Orlu Senatorial Zone to remain peaceful and avoid any actions that could undermine the party’s democratic processes.
“To my supporters and well-wishers across the Orlu Senatorial Zone, I urge you to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding. Continue to conduct yourselves with dignity and discipline, irrespective of any provocation,” he said.
“We must remain steadfast in our commitment to the party’s rules and democratic processes while pursuing every legitimate avenue to protect the mandate freely given by party members.”
Odunzeh stressed that the overriding objective should be the strengthening of the party and the preservation of democratic values.
“Our collective objective should be the strengthening of our party and the preservation of democratic values. Truth, transparency, and justice must prevail,” he added.
The allegations come amid heightened interest in the outcome of the NDC primaries as the party prepares for the next stage of its political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections. As of the time of filing this report, the national leadership of the NDC had not issued any official response to the claims.
