The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State has appealed to its presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, to intervene in the leadership crisis that is currently rocking the party in the state. The plea was made during a press briefing in Enugu on Monday, following a disclaimer issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, which challenged the legitimacy of the state leadership.
Call for Obi's Intervention
Addressing journalists, the State Chairman of the party, Dr. JohnPaul Anih, emphasized that Obi's involvement would help restore order and confidence within the party. He decried the alleged silence of certain party leaders amid the crisis, stating that such inaction was not in the best interest of the NDC.
Response to Allegations
Reacting to the disclaimer that accused him of impersonation, fraud, and illegally parading himself as chairman, Anih urged the national leadership to respect the party's constitution and recognize the congress that elected him and other executive members. He argued that ignoring falsehoods would amount to surrendering the truth to political opportunists seeking to hijack the party through intimidation and propaganda.
Anih questioned the Publicity Secretary's sudden amnesia about his identity, noting that he had committed his time, resources, and political structure to building the NDC in Enugu State from its inception. He also highlighted his appointment by the national leadership as a member of the Congress Appeals Committee, calling it shocking that those who worked closely with him now pretend not to know him due to alleged financial inducements.
Dispute Over Congress Legitimacy
Anih referenced an attempt by certain individuals from the national secretariat to seek INEC approval for congresses on May 16, 17, and 18, 2026, which was stopped by a court order. He questioned why there was a desperate attempt to organize another congress if an authentic one had already produced a chairman on May 4, 2026. According to Anih, the only valid congress was held on May 4, 2026, at Aborigen Hall and Premises, in the presence of security agencies and electoral authorities. That congress validly elected him as chairman.
He described subsequent events as a failed attempt by desperate individuals to stage an illegal midnight congress after realizing that party members had overwhelmingly rejected them. Anih declared that he would not allow the mandate of genuine party faithful to be stolen through manipulation and political fraud.
Challenge and Evidence
Anih challenged those parading another person as chairman to publicly disclose where, when, and how any legitimate congress allegedly producing him was conducted. He asserted that he possesses complete video evidence of the authentic congress that elected him and his executive members, duly conducted by the Secretary of the Congress Committee after the South East Zonal Vice Chairman, Chief Tedy Obey.
Anih maintained that he remains the authentic chairman produced through a transparent and credible congress process, and he is fully committed to the growth, stability, and electoral success of the NDC in Enugu State. He stated that no amount of intimidation, propaganda, blackmail, or political conspiracy would force him to abandon the mandate freely given to him by party members.
