NDC Disowns Anih Over Alleged Fake Congress in Enugu

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has distanced itself from one John Paul Anih, accusing him of illegally parading himself as the party’s Enugu State chairman and organising what it described as a “fake congress” to legitimise his claim.

The party, in a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, said Anih does not represent the NDC in any capacity and warned members of the public against transacting business with him.

According to the statement, the authentic and legally recognised chairman of the party in Enugu State remains Engr. Ibuchukwu Obeta.

The party alleged that Anih recently organised what it termed a “kangaroo state congress” where he allegedly installed himself as chairman despite lacking the backing of the party’s national leadership.

The NDC further disclosed that Anih had approached a court in Enugu seeking an order compelling the party to recognise him as state chairman, even though the matter was yet to be determined.

The statement also accused him of forging and reproducing copies of the party’s Expression of Interest forms which were allegedly sold to unsuspecting aspirants.

“The NDC hereby warns unsuspecting members of the public that Mr. John Paul Anih does not represent the NDC in any category whatsoever, and whoever transacts any business with him on behalf of the NDC does so at his or her own risk,” the party stated.

The party also alleged that Anih took advantage of the ongoing screening of aspirants to set up what it described as an illegal screening committee in Enugu State.

According to the NDC, the committee was allegedly being used to extort politicians seeking to contest under the party’s platform.

To counter what it described as misinformation, the party announced the officially recognised screening committee for Enugu State House of Assembly aspirants.

The committee comprises Hon. Sylvester O. Nwankwo as chairman, Barrister Ifeanyi Emmanuel Agbom as secretary, and Ngene Helen Funmilola as member.

The party stressed that any other group or individuals claiming to be part of the screening process in Enugu should be regarded as fraudulent.

“Any other person outside of the above mentioned, purporting to be a member of the Enugu State House of Assembly aspirants screening committee is a fraud and should be treated as such,” the statement added.

The NDC reiterated that Anih has no authority to act on behalf of the party and urged aspirants and members of the public to deal only with officials recognised by the national leadership.