Anambra federal constituency primary dispute deepens as NDC aspirant Lotanna Ikebunwa urges party leaders to submit his name to INEC, claiming victory backed by video evidence.

One of the frontline aspirants of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency election, Ambassador Lotanna Ikebunwa, has called on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to declare him the winner of the party’s primary election.

Ikebunwa stated that he secured the highest number of votes during the primary election conducted on May 29 and should therefore be recognized as the party’s candidate.
His appeal comes amid growing concerns among aspirants nationwide over the absence of official announcements following the party’s primary elections held in May. The delay has reportedly created uncertainty among party supporters and stakeholders.
Many supporters have alleged that some aspirants may have been disadvantaged in favour of better-funded rivals, a situation they fear could negatively affect the party’s prospects in the 2027 general election.
Speaking with a correspondent on Sunday, June 7, Ikebunwa expressed concern over the delay in announcing the outcome of the primary and urged the party leadership to respect what he described as the mandate freely given to him by party members.
According to him, officials assigned to conduct the primary compromised the process after it became apparent that he enjoyed widespread support across the constituency. He alleged that the electoral process was manipulated to prevent the emergence of the candidate preferred by party members.
Ikebunwa claimed that he possesses video evidence showing how the process was allegedly altered once it became clear that he was leading his opponents in the three local government areas that make up the federal constituency.
He stated that he is prepared to present the evidence before the appropriate party authorities and emphasized that the wishes of party members should not be disregarded.
The aspirant also rejected claims that another contender had been endorsed by the party to fly its flag in the constituency, arguing that such a move would contradict the party’s democratic principles.
According to him, the aspirant allegedly being considered for the ticket did not win the primary election and would struggle to secure victory for the party in the constituency.
Providing details of the results he claimed to have obtained, Ikebunwa said he recorded more than 1,000 votes in Nnewi North Local Government Area and 503 votes in Nnewi South Local Government Area. He further alleged that the vote-counting process in Ekwusigo Local Government Area was interrupted before completion, although he was credited with 59 votes before the exercise was halted.
He maintained that the interruption occurred when it became evident that he was also leading in Ekwusigo and reiterated that he has video evidence to substantiate his allegations.
Ikebunwa called on the NDC to submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s candidate and flag bearer for the constituency.
He urged the party’s National Working Committee to recognize and announce the aspirant who secured the majority of votes, warning that any attempt to impose a candidate who did not emerge victorious would be challenged through lawful means.
The aspirant further appealed to the NDC leadership to safeguard the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process by ensuring that the candidate with the highest number of votes is declared the winner and presented as the party’s flag bearer for the forthcoming House of Representatives election.
Meanwhile, a separate legal challenge has been filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order directing INEC to withdraw recognition of the NDC ahead of the 2027 elections. The plaintiff, Ahidjo Karlahi, alleged that the party failed to comply with certain registration requirements, including application procedures and payment obligations during its registration process.