A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State has announced Chief Dona Nwogbo as its governorship candidate following a factional primary election ahead of the forthcoming general election.
The announcement was made on Thursday after a parallel primary held in Enugu, which also produced candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly constituencies across the state.
According to the faction, the primaries were conducted in different parts of Enugu State, with final collation of results carried out in the state capital amid ongoing internal disputes within the party.
The development comes amid a prolonged leadership struggle within the PDP in Enugu State. Another faction, led by Chief Vitus Okechi, had earlier conducted a separate primary that produced former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, as its governorship candidate—further widening the division.
Announcing the outcome, the Returning Officer for the exercise, Yarima Edachaba, said the process was peaceful, adding that there was strong participation of party members across the polling areas.
He said the turnout recorded during the exercise reflected commitment by members and insisted there was no violence or disruption throughout the process.
Speaking after the collation of results, the Acting factional Chairman of the PDP in Enugu State, Steve Oruruo, described the exercise as a demonstration of internal democracy and transparent candidate selection.
He explained that the primaries were conducted through direct voting across wards before final collation, describing the process as orderly and credible.
Oruruo further argued that credible leadership can only emerge from transparent party processes, insisting that flawed primaries are often responsible for poor governance outcomes.
He also dismissed reports of crisis within the party, maintaining that the faction he represents operates under a valid court judgment.
According to him, the leadership structure is backed by judicial rulings he claims remain unchallenged, referencing the authority of the Board of Trustees led by former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara.
He warned that any parallel structure outside the recognised leadership framework would not be legally valid.
The faction also released its list of candidates for senatorial seats, with Basil Aguigwo emerging for Enugu West, Dr Nwatu Anthony for Enugu East, and Lady Asogwa Beatrice for Enugu North.
For the House of Representatives, candidates were also unveiled across federal constituencies, including Isaac Onoyima (Igboeze South/Nsukka), Nwatu Chukwudi (Nkanu East/West), Lilian Ugwuoke (Enugu East/Isi Uzo), Onah Uchechukwu (Aninri/Awgu/Oji River), Nnaji Erobuike (Enugu North/South), Chief Cosmas Onyia (Udi/Ezeagu), Anikezie Michael (Igbo Etiti/Uzo Uwani), and Eze Ephraim (Udenu/Igbo Eze North).
The emergence of parallel candidates is expected to intensify political tension within the PDP in Enugu State as rival factions continue to contest control of the party’s structure ahead of the general election.
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