A senatorial aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Orlu Senatorial Zone in Imo State, Hon. Uche Ben Odunzeh, has alleged a plot to substitute the ticket he claims to have legitimately won, calling on the party’s national leadership to intervene and protect the integrity of its internal democratic process.
Odunzeh raised the alarm in a statement on Friday, urging key leaders of the party, including Senator Seriake Dickson, Mr. Peter Obi, and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to ensure that justice prevails in the ongoing dispute over the party’s senatorial ticket for Orlu Zone.
The businessman-turned-politician alleged that certain local party officials were working to overturn the outcome of the nomination process and replace him with another aspirant, a move he said would undermine the will of party members and supporters in the zone.
He also appealed to the National Chairman of the party, Senator Cleopas Moses, the National Secretary, Mr. Ikenna Enekweizu, and the party’s leader in Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, to safeguard due process and fairness.
According to Odunzeh, while he remains committed to the party and its presidential aspiration, his primary obligation is to the people of Orlu Zone who entrusted him with their mandate.
He warned that any attempt to alter the outcome of a duly conducted process could damage the party’s credibility and weaken its support base ahead of the general election.
“The will of the people must be respected, and due process must prevail. Transparency and fairness are essential to sustaining confidence in the party and its leadership,” Odunzeh stated.
The senatorial hopeful stressed that no individual should be placed above the collective interests of an entire senatorial district, cautioning against what he described as efforts to use Orlu Senatorial Zone as a platform to compensate a preferred candidate.
He further expressed concern over what he called the longstanding political marginalisation of his area, noting that the district has never produced a Senator, Governor or Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly.
According to him, the current political cycle presents a rare opportunity to advance equity, inclusion and balanced representation within the zone.
Odunzeh therefore urged party leaders and stakeholders to put justice and fairness above personal interests and ensure that the democratic choices of party members and the people of Orlu Senatorial Zone are respected.
He maintained that protecting the outcome of a transparent process would strengthen the party’s credibility and reinforce confidence among its grassroots supporters ahead of the elections.
