The two factions of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Enugu State have accused each other of being impostors. While the wing led by Dr Johnpaul Ani as Chairman claims to be the genuine one, the faction that produced Sir Chinyaka Ohaa as the party’s governorship candidate in the 2027 general election is also stating that it is the one recognised by the National Working Committee of the party.
Dr Sebastine Okafor is the Secretary of the Ani-led faction. He told newsmen that the candidacy of Sir Ohaa lacks legitimacy because he did not emerge through a legitimate primary. In his words, “Any candidate that did not emerge through a legitimate primary cannot succeed. It cannot stand the test of judicial processes. The matter is already before a court of competent jurisdiction. There was no primary election conducted by the national working committee of NDC that produced Sir Chinyaka Ohaa as a governorship candidate.”
Okafor however acknowledged that Ohaa’s name was submitted by the NWC of the party to the Independent National Electoral Commission to contest the governorship seat of the state. According to him, “We have an application submitted by one Barr Kevin Eya demanding INEC to produce the certified true copy of the primary election they monitored that produced Ohaa. All the candidates submitted to INEC by NDC of Enugu State are not genuine. NDC might not have any candidate in 2027 if care is not taken. That is why they are struggling to ensure that the issue is resolved.”
He mentioned some of the aspirants that vied for the guber slot of the party in the state to include Prof James Nnaji, Sir Chinyaka Oha, Jeff Mbah, and Gill Nnaji, adding that each of them conducted their primaries separately on May 29th. He said, “I released a statement warning people to be careful with Ohaa’s candidature. The essence of the statement is for people to be aware. It would remain so until maybe the Supreme Court decides the matter.”
Okafor accused Ohaa of working for the ruling APC in the state. According to him, “Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa resigned from his position as the chairman of the Governing Council of ESUT. Three weeks later, he joined ADC. He caused troubles in ADC. When Obi joined NDC, Ohaa joined NDC. He must have been sent by his friend whom he was with in a room on the day he was declared the governor of Enugu State. The governor must have sent him to destabilise NDC and other opposition that they feel have the propensity of sending APC out of the Enugu Government House. If you look at the circumstances surrounding Ohaa, you will notice that he cannot work against Gov Peter Mbah. He has not denied being a friend of the governor. He may have been working for APC and alleging that others are doing that. He has not countered it. He is a stooge.”
Okafor further claimed that Ohaa’s name was submitted to INEC pending the determination of the legitimacy of his candidacy. He said there are over eight cases in court challenging his legitimacy, maintaining that, “Ohaa cannot hide under Peter Obi to work for Peter Mbah. We say no to that. If our right is trampled upon, we must fight till the end. Somebody cannot leave APC to come to NDC to chase people away. I emerged through a process, and I must fight for my right till I get to the Supreme Court.”
He said Prof James Nnaji is the NDC guber candidate in the state. He described Nnaji as a “renowned academic who has never touched public funds. He is a person that Enugu needs now, and not somebody hiding under Obi to work for another Peter.”
He said the NDC state congress held on 4th May 2026 which produced Ani and him remains genuine. “There is only one congress conducted in Enugu State that produced Dr Johnpaul Ani and me as state chairman and secretary respectively. The national leadership was there. If we are not a part of NDC as people allege, why were they inviting us to a meeting in Abuja and in Enugu recently to resolved internal crisis?”
Chinyeaka Ohaa is the authentic candidate, Spokesman
Mr Samson Ugwu is the spokes person of Chinyaka Ohaa. Ugwu described Johnpaul Ani and Okafor as impostors. He told THE WHISTLER that they were planted to frustrate NDC in the state ahead of the 2027 election.
Ugwu said, “It is unfortunate that when we are trying to get things right in Nigeria, things are going this way. We have seen how credible individuals, especially Peter Obi, joined NDC at the national level, and how Chinyaka Ohaa joined the party at the state level despite attacks and litigations upon litigations. I am surprised when some young men come together to foment troubles. The person who issued the statement is not the state secretary of NDC recognised by the national level. We need to get this clear so that we know those that have been planted to cause troubles. The state chairman of NDC is Engr Ibechukwu Obetta. The state secretary of NDC is Nebo Chukwujekwu. They are recognised by NDC at the national level. It is a mistake to refer to Okafor and his principal, Johnpall Ani, as secretary and chairman of NDC respectively.”
He clarified that NDC, national, released a statement affirming that it does not know Mr Sebastine Okafor and Ani as officials of the party in the state. Quoting him, “NDC’s statement dated 23rd May, 2026, clearly stated that Johnpaul Ani is not known to the party. The statement said Johnpaul Ani is a fraud. It is in the public domain. The statement added that Ani does not represent NDC, and he is not the Enugu State chairman of NDC.”
He said that Sir Ohaa was produced through a congress monitored by the NWC of the party as well as INEC. “If you go to the INEC office in Enugu, you will see Ohaa’s name clearly written as the governorship candidate of NDC in the state. Names of all the candidates are boldly written there. There is no controversy anywhere. Nigeria must be careful with some characters planted to attack Peter Obi at the national level, and Ohaa at the state level. Anybody fomenting troubles for Ohaa has been sent to attack our principal, Mr Peter Obi.”
He advised Enugu electorate to be wiser to avoid falling into the hands of deceptive people. “Enugu people should be wiser. The ruling APC knows that NDC is the party to beat. Our people love NDC. We are suffering in Enugu. NDC has presented credible candidates that will rescue Nigeria and the state. It is a pity some people allow themselves to be used to cause troubles. Everybody is planting moles in NDC to destabilise Obi and Ohaa. We are many steps ahead of them.”
He alleged that the Ani faction is working for APC, clarifying that Ohaa is not working for anybody. Quoting him, “On 12th October 2025, Ani released a statement on why Enugu people must join APC. Ohaa is the only major governorship candidate that doesn’t have any certificate forgery case. He is as white as snow.”
Ugwu said there is no faction of NDC in the state: “There is no faction of NDC in Enugu State. We have our authentic chairman. There are structures already in place. The national has also stated that Dr Ani forged the party’s expression of interest forms. What we have in Enugu are sponsored impersonators. They have been planted to destroy the party in the state.”