LG election: Enugu PDP faction cries foul

Jude Ossai, Enugu - 03.11.2009

The factional chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Chief Ray Nnaji, has raised the alarm over a plot by some members of the party loyal to Governor Sullivan Chime to rig the forthcoming local government election, slated for December 5.

Chief Nnaji, a strong critic of Chime’s administration and a commissioner in the immediate-past government of Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, told journalists that he had already petitioned the presidency and the Inspector General of Police over alleged plan by the Chief Vincent Ogbulafor-led national body of the PDP to disenfranchised him and his supporters in the local government election.

The PDP chieftain wondered why the list of his loyalists was turned down by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), whereas the case over the chairmanship of the party was still pending in court.

In his petition, copied to President Umaru Yar’Adua; Senate President, David Mark; Speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole; Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, as well as the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Zerewa, and made available to newsmen, Chief Nnaji narrated how he was arrested unlawfully on October 7, 2009 by men of the State Special-Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).