NDC Crisis Explodes in Anambra: Ogbuefi, Okoye Lose Anaocha 1 Obi Home Ticket to Kevin Alike
The controversy over who will fly the ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Anaocha 1 State Constituency in Anambra State has taken a dramatic turn, following confirmation by the party’s State Chairman, Chief Ikem Uzoezie, that neither the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Nkechi Ogbuefi, nor Chief Azubuike Okoye is the party’s candidate for the constituency.
The party leadership in the state, through Uzoezie, confirmed that Mr. Kevin Alike is the NDC candidate for Anaocha 1 State Constituency and disclosed that his name has already been uploaded to the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the state chairman, however, the party is yet to resolve the dispute over its candidate for Anaocha 2 State Constituency, where the contest has remained unsettled.
The latest development has further complicated an already contentious political situation within the NDC in Anambra State, particularly in Anaocha, where competing claims to the party’s ticket have generated controversy among aspirants and supporters.
Recall that Hon. Nkechi Ogbuefi had accused Chief Azubuike Okoye of falsely parading himself as the party’s candidate for Anaocha 1.
Ogbuefi argued that, as an incumbent lawmaker, she had benefited from a waiver granted by the party to serving legislators during the party’s primary elections, on the basis of which she emerged as the candidate.
Okoye, however, dismissed the allegation, maintaining that the responsibility for officially determining and publishing candidates rests with INEC.
He also said he would not engage in a war of words over reports circulating on social media.
Ogbuefi had earlier told reporters that when she brought the matter to the attention of the state chairman, Chief Ikem Uzoezie, she was advised to disregard Okoye’s claim.
According to her, Uzoezie had assured her that Mr. Peter Obi personally submitted her name as the party’s candidate.
The subsequent declaration by Uzoezie that neither Ogbuefi nor Okoye is the candidate, but rather Mr. Kevin Alike, has therefore introduced a new dimension to the controversy and raised fresh questions about the process through which the party’s candidate was ultimately determined.
Speaking on the development, Uzoezie reiterated that Kevin Alike is the NDC candidate for Anaocha 1 State Constituency, stressing that his name had already been uploaded to the INEC portal.
He further disclosed that the situation in Anaocha 2 State Constituency remains unresolved, with Hon. Azubuike Okoye and Eric Maduagwu currently contesting for the party’s ticket.
The chairman said the party would make the identity of the Anaocha 2 candidate public once all necessary arrangements and internal processes had been concluded.
The unfolding dispute highlights the growing importance of transparency, internal party democracy and clear communication in the candidate-selection process, particularly as political parties prepare for the forthcoming electoral contest in Anambra State.
Until the relevant electoral authorities and the party formally conclude the process, competing claims by aspirants and their supporters are likely to continue generating uncertainty over the party’s final lineup.
