The only female National Democratic Congress (NDC) aspirant for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency for the 2027 general election, Mrs Nkasiobi Madumere, has cried foul over the conduct of the primaries.
Madumere made the allegation yesterday while addressing journalists in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, saying she and her supporters were disenfranchised during the primaries.
She also alleged that the exercise was marred by irregularities, including late communication of the venues, late arrival of the officials, and multiple changes of the locations.
The legal practitioner accused the officials “of deliberately excluding her and her supporters from the counting process despite being duly cleared to participate in the exercise”.
”I was at Olokoro Primary School for the exercise unlike some other aspirants. However, when it got to my turn and my supporters to be counted, the officials turned back and walked away,” she said
According to her, similar incidents occurred in Umuahia North and Ikwuano local government areas, where she said her teaming supporters had turn out in their numbers also.
Madumere, who argued that the attitude violated the core beliefs of the party and her fundamental human rights, described it “as unfair treatment and gender-based discrimination”.
She informed that she had submitted petitions to the party’s Appeal Committee, National Chairman and other relevant organs of the party, seeking redress over the outcome of the exercise.
The complainant called on the national leadership of the NDC to investigate the conduct of the primaries, alleging that several irregularities undermined the credibility of the exercise
”Restoring confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes will require a thorough review of the actions of officials involved in organising the primaries.”
Madumere urged the party leadership and statholders to ensure justice and fairness for all aspirants, which she described as crucial ahead of the 2027 general election.
She, therefore, stressed that women should not be discouraged from seeking elective positions through actions that undermine confidence in the democratic process.
