By Innocent Anaba

There is growing tension in Aniocha South Constituency of Delta State following an alleged attempt to replace Jeffrey Adigwe, winner of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, primary election for the constituency.

Constituents and indigenes of communities in the constituency are reportedly mobilising for a protest in Ogwashi-Uku, headquarters of Aniocha South Local Government Area, as elders and youths vowed to resist any move to replace the candidate elected at the primary.

Adigwe emerged winner of the party’s open primary with 286 votes. Junior Okeleke came second with 227 votes, while Igwe Onnefa polled 170 votes to place third. Onochie Osheokwu scored 140 votes to finish fourth, while Myke Enebuwa secured 120 votes.

The development has reportedly angered party members and constituents, who alleged that some individuals in Abuja had replaced Adigwe with Osheokwu, who finished fourth in the primary.

Reacting to the development, Adigwe said he would seek legal redress to reclaim the mandate given to him by the people, stressing that he had no dispute with the party.

He said, “I am a party man and I have no fight with my party. The people have spoken, and I stand firmly with my people. I remain committed to pursuing our mandate through lawful and constitutional means.

“As a law-abiding citizen, I assure my people that we will seek to retrieve our mandate peacefully and through the appropriate legal channel.”

A constituent, Victor Obokoh, said it would be wrong for the people’s mandate to be overturned because of individuals who participated in the contest or campaigned more vigorously.

He said the primary was conducted openly and urged the NDC leadership to respect the outcome.

Obokoh said, “The people’s mandate is sacred, and it must stand. In Aniocha South, the people have spoken clearly. They have picked Adigwe to represent them at the Delta State House of Assembly.

“To abuse or overturn those votes is to tell every man, woman and youth in Aniocha South that their voice does not matter. It is to tell them that party politics is bigger than the people.”

Another constituent and NDC member, Isioma Azubuike, described the alleged replacement as unacceptable, saying it would undermine the wishes of party members in the constituency.

Azubuike said the development could have consequences for the party’s prospects in the constituency if not reversed, adding that members would consider supporting another party’s candidate in the February Assembly election.

She said Adigwe had demonstrated a commitment to representing the people with humility, integrity, transparency and accountability.

The aggrieved constituents are expected to press their demand for the party to recognise the outcome of the primary, while Adigwe has indicated his intention to pursue the matter through the courts.