The Enugu State Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Sebastine Okafor, has dismissed a legal challenge filed by Bishop Oscar Ossai over the party’s Enugu North Senatorial District ticket, describing the case as unlikely to succeed.
Ossai, who has presented himself as the NDC candidate for the senatorial district, reportedly approached the Federal High Court in Abuja after his name was replaced in the party’s submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, Okafor argued that Ossai’s claim lacks a valid foundation because, according to him, no primary election was conducted that produced Ossai as the party’s candidate.
Speaking with journalists in Enugu on Wednesday, Okafor said available INEC records from the state’s primary election indicate that Dr Chika Obetta emerged as the NDC candidate for Enugu North.
He maintained that the court would ultimately determine the validity of the competing claims, but insisted that party records and INEC documentation would be crucial to the case.
Okafor also accused the national leadership of the NDC of undermining the party’s elected structure in Enugu State, alleging that internal democratic processes had been weakened by decisions taken without adequate consultation.
He questioned Ossai’s pursuit of legal redress, alleging that those who previously supported moves against the state executive led by Dr Johnpaul Anih should not now complain when similar political decisions affect their interests.
The state secretary further commended members of the NDC G80 group of aggrieved aspirants for what he described as their determination to defend internal democracy and due process within the party.
According to Okafor, the ongoing dispute highlights the need for greater transparency in the selection of candidates and respect for properly constituted party structures.
He called on NDC members and supporters to remain calm while urging the party leadership to resolve the crisis and restore confidence in its internal democratic processes.
Okafor insisted that individuals who did not emerge from a valid primary should not claim legitimacy as party candidates, stressing that electoral disputes should be resolved within the framework of the law and established party procedures.