NDC REJECTS CLAIMS OF JOHNPAUL ANIH’S RECOGNITION, SAYS ENUGU HIGH COURT RULING DID NOT CONFER PARTY STATUS

NDC REJECTS CLAIMS OF JOHNPAUL ANIH’S RECOGNITION, SAYS ENUGU HIGH COURT STRUCK OUT HIS CASE 

Enugu, Nigeria — The Enugu State Chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected claims that a recent judgment of the Enugu State High Court conferred official recognition on Dr. Johnpaul Anih as a leader or representative of the party in the state.

In a statement signed by the state party secretary, Hon. Nebo Chukwujekwu Emmanuel, the NDC said the interpretation being given to the judgment in Suit No. E/484/2026 was misleading and did not reflect the substance or effect of the court’s decision.

According to the party, a review of the Certified True Copy of the judgment shows that the issues brought before the court concerned the internal affairs and leadership of a political party. The party said the court consequently declined jurisdiction, relying on applicable legal principles and provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and therefore struck out the case.

The NDC maintained that the judgment did not appoint, recognize or confer any official party position on Dr. Anih.

Party says national leadership has repeatedly disowned Anih

The Enugu chapter further stated that the national leadership of the NDC had, on several occasions, publicly clarified that Dr. Johnpaul Anih is not recognized by the party as its Enugu State chairman and is not authorized to represent the NDC in any capacity.

The party said such declarations had been made through official communications and public statements attributed to the National Working Committee (NWC), urging party members, aspirants, stakeholders and members of the public to disregard representations made on behalf of the NDC by individuals not recognized by its national leadership.

According to the Enugu State chapter, the officers currently recognized by the party leadership in the state are Engr. Ibuchukwu Obeta as Chairman and Hon. Nebo Chukwujekwu Emmanuel as Secretary.

The party therefore argued that the court ruling should not be interpreted as altering the administrative structure or leadership position already maintained by the NDC.

‘Judgment did not confer legitimacy’

The NDC warned against what it described as attempts to use the court judgment to create the impression that Dr. Anih had obtained judicial recognition as a party official.

“The judgment has not changed the legal or political reality,” the party said, arguing that issues concerning internal party leadership and congresses remain matters governed by the party’s constitution and relevant electoral laws, subject to the jurisdiction of the appropriate authorities and courts where applicable.

The party described any contrary interpretation as a distortion of the judgment and urged members of the public to examine the actual contents of the Certified True Copy rather than rely on political statements or social-media narratives.

NDC urges members and public to disregard conflicting claims

The Enugu State chapter called on its members, supporters, political stakeholders and the general public to disregard what it described as “false narratives, propaganda and deliberate distortions” surrounding the judgment.

It reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy, constitutional order, the rule of law and respect for the structures of the party.

The statement also emphasized that the NDC would continue to defend what it described as its duly constituted structures and resist attempts to undermine them through misinformation.

The latest statement comes amid an apparent dispute over the leadership and representation of the NDC in Enugu State, with competing claims over who is authorized to speak or act on behalf of the party.

For now, the NDC Enugu leadership insists that the High Court judgment should not be presented as judicial confirmation of Dr. Johnpaul Anih’s position within the party.