By Our Correspondent
THE political build-up to the 2027 Enugu State governorship election has taken a sharper and more confrontational turn as PDP elders, stakeholders, and the Concerned Enugu Leaders group have endorsed Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani, describing him as the only authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
The endorsement came alongside a wave of criticism directed at former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, with party stakeholders accusing him of leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “contaminate” the PDP, amid his mounting legal troubles and a widening arrest warrant issued against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged certificate forgery and failure to honour investigative invitations.
This newspaper reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a ruling delivered on Thursday, granted the ICPC’s ex parte motion in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026, authorising the arrest of Nnaji. The commission is also seeking approval to declare him wanted across national newspapers, online platforms, and other media channels, while empowering security operatives to arrest him for investigation.
Nnaji, appointed minister in August 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, later resigned following allegations of forging academic and NYSC credentials submitted during his ministerial screening and confirmation process. The ICPC maintains that his repeated refusal to honour invitations for investigation necessitated the court order.
Against this backdrop, the Concerned Enugu Leaders, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Chief Boniface Chukwuma, congratulated Nnamani on what they described as his emergence as the legitimate PDP governorship candidate, insisting that the development reflects the democratic will of party members across Enugu State.
The group further argued that recent developments within the PDP, including the recognition of the Abdulrahman-led faction and the outcome of the party’s governorship primary election, have reinforced Nnamani’s standing as the undisputed flagbearer of the party in Enugu State.
According to them, the insistence by Nnamani that he remains the duly elected candidate aligns with the outcome of the PDP governorship primary allegedly supervised by INEC, as well as subsequent legal and internal party processes.
They also recalled that Nnamani had publicly maintained that the PDP structure was no longer factionalised following recognition of the Abdulrahman-led leadership, stressing that the election panel that conducted the primary came from Abuja.
The Concerned Enugu Leaders said they were confident in Nnamani’s leadership capacity, describing him as a bridge-builder with the administrative competence, political maturity, and progressive vision needed to reposition Enugu State.
They added that his emergence at the primary—where he reportedly polled 7,542 votes to defeat Nnaji, who scored 121 votes—demonstrates overwhelming support from delegates across the 17 local government areas.
The PDP Returning Officer, High Chief Wisdom Okoye, had declared the exercise transparent, orderly, and consistent with the party’s constitution and National Working Committee (NWC) guidelines, with a total of 7,663 accredited votes recorded.
While acknowledging other aspirants, including Nnaji and Dona Nwogbo, the elders urged party members to close ranks and consolidate unity ahead of the 2027 elections, warning against internal divisions that could weaken the party’s chances.
They also noted that Nnamani’s political profile reflects integrity, inclusiveness, and a commitment to economic growth, youth empowerment, and infrastructure development across Enugu State.
“The time has come for all lovers of Enugu State to rally behind a leader with a clear vision,” the group stated, insisting that Nnamani represents the PDP’s strongest path to victory.
The group further expressed optimism that his candidacy would usher in unity, stability, and renewed political strength for the PDP, while strengthening its electoral chances in 2027.
Chief Chukwuma called on residents to support democratic processes and remain committed to peace, development, and political stability across the state as the governorship race gathers momentum.
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