Addressing journalists in Abakaliki on Saturday evening, Mr. Affiugbo Simon, the party chairman aspirant in the state alleged that what was expected to be a duly constituted state congress turned into what he described as a mere social gathering.
According to him, the exercise did not meet the constitutional requirements of a party congress and was not monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), raising questions about its legitimacy.
Simon further alleged that the party’s National Legal Adviser, Mrs. Anyata Juliet Ogba, used her position to influence the process in a manner that disenfranchised qualified members from other zones of the state.
He claimed the development was aimed at narrowing the party’s leadership structure to a particular local government area.
“It was not a congress but a gathering. There was no proper accreditation, no monitoring by INEC, and no transparent electoral process,” he stated.
He therefore called on INEC not to recognize or accept any list of purported state executives that may emerge from the disputed exercise.
He also urged members of the party and the general public to disregard anyone who may present himself as the duly elected chairman of the party in Ebonyi State.
While expressing commitment to peace and order in the state, Simon said aggrieved members would pursue legitimate and lawful means to ensure that equity and justice prevail within the party.
“As law-abiding citizens who value the peace we enjoy in Ebonyi State, we will seek redress through appropriate legal and constitutional channels,” he said, calling on party members to remain calm and continue their normal activities.
Efforts to reach officials of the party in the state for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
The development is the latest in a series of internal disputes that have affected party structures in various states, raising concerns about internal democracy and cohesion ahead of future political engagements.
