Enugu PDP Primary Drama: Alleged Parallel Election, Media Rejection, and Vanguard Backlash as Party Affirms Uche Nnaji’s Victory

The controversy surrounding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries in Enugu State continues to generate intense political debate, with supporters of the party leadership alleging an organized attempt to create confusion around the outcome of the exercise.

According to accounts from PDP stakeholders and supporters, the crisis reportedly began shortly after Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji successfully scaled the party's screening process and was cleared to participate in the governorship primary election.

Party members claim that immediately after Nnaji's clearance, efforts emerged to destabilize the PDP and challenge the integrity of its internal process. At the center of the allegations is Samson Chukwu Nnamani (Odera), whom critics accuse of becoming a tool in a broader political effort to weaken the opposition in Enugu State.

Supporters of the PDP leadership further allege that after disciplinary actions led to his suspension, Nnamani proceeded to organize what they describe as a parallel governorship primary election with a small group of supporters and associates. 

According to the allegations, invitations were extended to major media organizations, including the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA Enugu) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), with the expectation that the event and subsequent declaration would receive national coverage.

However, PDP supporters contend that journalists and media representatives present reportedly sought verification regarding the legitimacy of the exercise. Questions were allegedly raised concerning the absence of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission and whether the gathering complied with established PDP guidelines and procedures.

According to sources available to the public, inquiries made by NTA Enugu, AIT, and other media organizations to PDP state leadership, the party's national structure, and INEC reportedly confirmed that the officially recognized governorship primary had already produced Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji as the party's candidate.

As a result, supporters claim that major television stations declined to broadcast or validate the self-declared victory announced at the parallel gathering.

The controversy deepened when vanguardngr.com⁠  published a report naming Nnamani as the winner of the PDP governorship primary.

Critics accused the newspaper of publishing the report without first conducting adequate verification with PDP authorities or electoral officials. The situation attracted even greater attention when the report reportedly featured the image of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, despite him not being the subject of the primary election dispute.

The publication immediately drew criticism across social media platforms, with many users questioning both the report and the use of the photograph. Following the backlash, observers noted that the image was later changed and replaced with a map of Enugu State.

Supporters of Chief Uche Nnaji argue that the decision not to use Samson Chukwu Nnamani's photograph, despite reportedly having access to it, reflected growing concerns about the credibility of the claims being promoted.

Meanwhile, party loyalists continue to point to reports from NTA Enugu, AIT, and other national media outlets, as well as confirmations from party officials, which they say consistently identified Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji as the authentic winner of the PDP governorship primary.

They further note that as of May 27, 2026, the PDP had officially concluded all governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and State Assembly primaries in Enugu State.

Political observers say the controversy underscores the increasingly high stakes of the 2027 electoral cycle and highlights the importance of official party processes, electoral compliance, and responsible journalism in reporting politically sensitive developments.

For many within the PDP, the matter is settled: Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji remains the party's officially recognized governorship candidate, while the events surrounding the alleged parallel primary continue to fuel debate across Enugu's political landscape.