Members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) across the six local government areas of Abia Central Senatorial District have raised a strong alarm over what they described as a clandestine plot to substitute Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, the duly elected winner of the party’s senatorial primaries, with former Senator Nkechi Nwaogu.

The aggrieved party faithful, drawn from every ward and local government area in the district, warned that any attempt to overturn the clear verdict of the members of NDC in the District would be met with stiff resistance. They insisted that Bishop Emeka Nwankpa secured an overwhelming and indisputable victory at the primaries and therefore remains the authentic choice of the party’s grassroots members.

According to them, any move to replace the winner through backdoor arrangements would amount to a brazen assault on democracy, a betrayal of party members, and a direct insult to the will of the people who freely and overwhelmingly endorsed Nwankpa’s candidacy.

The members challenged the party leadership in Abuja to act transparently and uphold the principles of fairness, justice, and internal democracy upon which the NDC claims to stand. They cautioned the leadership against engaging in the same undemocratic practices for which it has consistently criticised other political parties.

“It would be both ironic and shameful for a party that presents itself as a champion of democratic values to undermine the very process that produced a clear winner,” the members stated.

They further warned that any attempt to impose a candidate through manipulation or substitution would trigger widespread discontent among party supporters across Abia Central and could have far-reaching consequences for the party’s credibility and electoral fortunes in the district.

Reaffirming their unwavering support for Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, the members declared that the mandate freely given to him by delegates is sacred, non-negotiable, and must be respected by all stakeholders.

“We will not stand by and watch the people’s mandate stolen or traded away. The victory of Bishop Emeka Nwankpa belongs to the people of Abia Central. Any attempt to subvert that mandate will be firmly resisted through all legitimate and democratic means available to us,” they declared.