RismadarVoice Reporters
May 29, 2026
Professor 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 secured the party’s ticket after defeating other aspirants, including Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa and Senator Gilbert Nnaji, in the governorship primary election conducted on Friday.
Announcing the results, the Enugu State Secretary of the NDC, Dr Sebastine Okafor, said the primary election was held across the 17 local government areas of the state in accordance with directives from the party’s national secretariat.
Okafor disclosed that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the exercise.
He described the primary as transparent and in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the party’s internal guidelines.
The party also announced the winners of its senatorial primary elections in the three senatorial districts of the state.
According to Okafor, Dr Chika Obetta emerged as the NDC candidate for Enugu North Senatorial District, while Dr Mrs Celelia Ikechukwu secured the ticket for Enugu East Senatorial District.
Barrister Mrs Ugochi Ohajekwe was declared the winner of the Enugu West Senatorial District primary election.
The party further unveiled some of its House of Representatives candidates ahead of the 2027 polls.
Dr Stephen Ugwoke emerged as the candidate for Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency, while Barrister Chimezie Nwodo clinched the ticket for Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency.
Barrister Kene Nnadi was announced as the candidate for Enugu North/South Federal Constituency, Comrade Felix Ijegalu emerged for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, while Barrister 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 at a later date.
Reacting to the outcome of the exercise, the NDC Chairman in Enugu State, Dr Johnpaul Ani, described the primary election as peaceful, credible and well organised.
According to him, the successful conduct of the exercise demonstrated the party’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
Ani urged aspirants who did not emerge victorious to accept the outcome in the interest of party unity and work together ahead of the governorship election scheduled for January 2027.
