Prof. James Ene-Nwannaji has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ene-Nwannaji was declared winner of the party’s governorship primary election held on Friday, defeating other aspirants including Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa and Senator Gilbert Nnaji.
Announcing the outcome, the Secretary of the NDC in Enugu State, Dr. Sebastine Okafor, said the primary election was conducted across the 17 local government areas of the state in line with directives from the party’s national secretariat.
Okafor stated that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, monitored the exercise.
He also announced the winners of the party’s senatorial primary elections in the three senatorial zones of the state.
According to him, Dr. Chika Obetta emerged as the candidate for Enugu North Senatorial District, Dr. Mrs. Celelia Ikechukwu won the ticket for Enugu East Senatorial District, while Barr. Mrs. Ugochi Ohajekwe secured the party’s ticket for Enugu West Senatorial District.
The party further released names of some House of Representatives candidates.
Dr. Stephen Ugwoke emerged candidate for Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency, while Barr. Chimezie Nwodo won the ticket for Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency.
Barr. Kene Nnadi was announced as candidate for Enugu North/South Federal Constituency, Comrade Felix Ijegalu emerged for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, while Barr. Onyebuchi Nwabueze secured the ticket for Igboetiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency.
Okafor added that the remaining list of House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates would be released later.
Reacting to the outcome of the exercise, the NDC Chairman in Enugu State, Dr. Johnpaul Ani, described the primary election as peaceful and well organised.
Ani said the exercise was conducted in line with the party’s guidelines and the Electoral Act 2026.
According to him, the successful conduct of the primary election reflected the party’s readiness for the 2027 general elections.
He urged aspirants who did not emerge victorious to accept the outcome and work with the party ahead of the governorship election scheduled for January 2027.
