The controversy surrounding the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) House of Representatives primary election for Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency has deepened following a strong rebuttal by aspirant Ken Egbas against allegations that he was not duly screened by the party before participating in the exercise.
Egbas, in a statement issued on Saturday, dismissed claims questioning his eligibility to contest the primary election, insisting that he underwent the official screening process conducted by the party in Abuja and was cleared to participate.
His reaction followed growing concerns among some party stakeholders who had alleged that his name did not appear on a screening document purportedly showing aspirants cleared for the constituency’s primary election.
The stakeholders had argued that Dr. Tawo Obah Edom was the only aspirant cleared by the party and should therefore have emerged unopposed as the party’s candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.
However, Egbas described the allegations as false and defamatory, maintaining that he participated in the screening exercise held between May 20 and May 22 in Abuja.
According to him, there were committee members, witnesses, and documentary records confirming his participation and clearance.
“To set the record straight, I attended the official screening in Abuja for three days — May 20th, 21st and 22nd. There are pictures, there are names of the committee members who screened me, and there are countless witnesses,” he stated.
Egbas further claimed that he was successfully screened and cleared at 11:34 p.m. on May 22.
The aspirant also challenged the authenticity of the screening list being circulated by critics, alleging that the document did not originate from the national leadership of the party.
He said that upon seeing the list on the morning of the primary election, he approached the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the party, Mr. Iliya Kwarafa, who allegedly informed him that the document was not an official party record.
According to Egbas, the party official subsequently presented him with what he described as the master list of cleared candidates and directed him to proceed with preparations for the primary election.
“When my attention was drawn to this list on the morning of May 29, I approached the Deputy National Organising Secretary of our party, who told me categorically that the list did not emanate from them and showed me the master list of all cleared candidates,” he said.
The latest development has further complicated the dispute surrounding the Obubra/Etung primary election, with both camps now presenting conflicting accounts regarding the screening and nomination process.
Egbas also appeared to declare victory in the primary election, claiming that his political opponents had indirectly acknowledged his emergence despite the party’s reported directive that official winners would be announced later by the national leadership.
“The most amusing part is that while the national leadership requested that no winner be announced until they do so this week, my opponent couldn’t wait. He has kindly helped announce my victory to the world,” he stated.
He urged party members and supporters to disregard the allegations against him, describing them as “fake news” and the actions of “a sore loser.”
The dispute has heightened tensions within the party in Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency, with stakeholders warning that unresolved disagreements over the primary election could trigger legal challenges and affect party cohesion ahead of the general elections.
Political observers say the controversy underscores broader concerns about transparency and internal democratic processes within political parties, particularly during candidate selection exercises.
As of press time, the national leadership of the NDC had yet to issue an official statement addressing the conflicting claims over the screening process and the outcome of the primary election.
