Asukewe Ikoawaji: NDC Primaries Were Conducted Properly

NDC chieftain dismisses allegations of irregularities, insisting the party’s primaries complied with its guidelines.

NDC chieftain Chief Asukewe Ikoawaji has defended the party’s recently concluded primaries, insisting that the process was conducted in line with party guidelines despite complaints from some aspirants and stakeholders.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Ikoawaji rejected claims that due process was ignored during the exercise.

“NDC primaries were conducted properly,” he said.

According to Ikoawaji, the party took deliberate steps to ensure transparency and fairness throughout the screening and primary election process.

“I was a member of the screening committee,” he stated.

He explained that party officials supervised the process from the screening stage through the conduct of the primaries.

“I also served as chairman of the electoral committee in Abia State,” he said.

According to Ikoawaji, the NDC adopted an unusual approach by conducting its primaries before requiring successful candidates to purchase nomination forms.

“This is the first time a political party is going into primaries without selling nomination forms,” he stated.

He stated that the measure was introduced to avoid practices that could undermine the credibility of the exercise.

“We are learning from the lessons of the past,” he said.

Ikoawaji dismissed allegations of manipulation and irregularities, maintaining that the complaints do not reflect the actual conduct of the primaries.

“The primaries went very well,” he stated.

According to him, many of those criticising the process are individuals seeking to discredit the party.

“Most of the people making this noise were sent to destroy what NDC is doing,” he said.

He also criticised some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing them of exceeding their supervisory role during the primaries.

“INEC’s job is to supervise, not to be an umpire,” he stated.

Despite the controversy, Ikoawaji insisted that the party remains united and capable of resolving internal grievances.

“The party has already started putting machinery in place to address these issues,” he said.

According to him, party leaders are engaging aggrieved members across various states to restore unity ahead of future elections.

“The ball has started rolling,” he stated.

Ikoawaji expressed confidence that all internal disputes would be resolved within a short period.

“In no distant time, all these things will be properly handled,” he said.

Ikoawaji concluded that the NDC primaries were conducted in accordance with party guidelines, insisting that the party remains united and is already addressing post-primary grievances while preparing to release the final list of successful candidates.