According to a report by Leadership on Friday 12th June 2026, a fresh controversy has emerged within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following the direct submission of Abia State primary election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the chairman of the party’s Primary Election Committee, Chief Asukewe Ikoawaji.
The development has raised concerns among party members, with some stakeholders questioning whether the committee chairman had the authority to forward the names of candidates to the electoral commission without the involvement of the party’s national leadership.
Documents obtained by journalists revealed that Ikoawaji wrote to the INEC Chairman through the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Abia State on May 30, 2026, transmitting the outcome of the party’s governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly primary elections held a day earlier.
In the correspondence, titled “The Outcome of the NDC Primary Election in Abia State,” the committee chairman stated that results from all constituencies and local government areas in the state had been collated and finalized at the party’s headquarters in Umuahia.
According to him, the collation process was monitored by party officials, security personnel, members of the election committee and an INEC representative identified as Mrs. Chioma.
He noted that the election results had also been forwarded to the party’s national headquarters in Abuja in line with constitutional provisions, while copies of election guidelines, committee notifications and result sheets were attached for INEC’s attention.
In another letter addressed to the REC, Ikoawaji reportedly corrected what he described as errors in a previously submitted list of electoral committee members; He also identified himself as the sole electoral and returning officer responsible for the conduct of the primaries across Abia State’s 17 local government areas.
The revised submission, he stated, should replace all earlier documents sent to the commission regarding the conduct of the exercise.
The action has generated fresh tension within the NDC, as party insiders insist that only the National Chairman and National Secretary are empowered to officially submit candidates’ names to INEC.
