Enugu, August 24, 2026 — More than 1,000 members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State on Monday staged a peaceful protest at the Enugu State Government House and the APC State Secretariat over the alleged illegal substitution of their duly elected councillorship candidate for Umu-Itodo Ward 2.
The protesters, led by Comrd. Ogbonna Emmanuel Chisom, said they embarked on the protest to draw the attention of His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah, to what they described as an alleged violation of the party’s internal democratic process and the mandate freely given to Hon. Ali Stanley Osita during the APC primary election.
Speaking to journalists during the protest, Comrd. Ogbonna maintained that Hon. Ali Stanley Osita was duly elected as the APC councillorship candidate for Umu-Itodo Ward 2.
According to him, Osita had purchased and submitted the required nomination form, paid all prescribed fees, participated in the APC workshop organised for councillorship candidates and was subsequently shortlisted by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC).
The protesters, however, alleged that a viral voice recording purportedly featured Hon. Ejike Eze, member representing Igbo-Eze North Constituency 1, allegedly admitting to a plan involving Hon. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo, member representing Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, to remove Osita’s name and replace it with Mr. Anthony Chibuzor Chinedu, popularly known as “Abori,” at the ENSIEC office.
The allegation has become the central grievance behind the protest, with the APC members demanding clarification and immediate intervention from the relevant authorities.
“We believe in the democratic leadership of His Excellency Governor Peter Mbah. That is why we came here peacefully to tell him that two Labour Party members are now interfering with APC internal processes to undermine the mandate of the people,” Comrd. Ogbonna said.
He further alleged that Hon. Ejike Eze and Hon. Dennis Agbo were members of the Labour Party, which he described as a major opposition party to the former PDP-led administration in the state.
At the Government House, where the Governor was not present, the police officer in charge addressed the protesters and subsequently led them to submit a copy of their petition for appropriate attention.
The protesters later proceeded to the Enugu State APC Secretariat, where they were received by the State APC Chairman, alongside the State Secretary and other senior party officials.
Addressing the protesters, the State Chairman assured them that due process would be followed and that the appropriate action would be taken, promising that the right thing would be done within the shortest possible time.
The protesters stressed that their action was not targeted at the state government or the APC leadership, but was aimed at demanding justice, transparency and strict adherence to the democratic process within the party.
Their Demands
The protesters appealed to Governor Peter Mbah, the Enugu State APC Chairman and ENSIEC to:
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Assure them that the name of Hon. Ali Stanley Osita, whom they said emerged as the candidate through the APC primary election, has not been changed.
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Where any substitution has been made, immediately reverse the alleged substitution and restore Hon. Ali Stanley Osita as the authentic candidate, in order to restore members’ confidence in the APC primary election process.
The protest ended peacefully, with no arrests, violence or other incidents reported.
The protesters said they would continue to pursue their demands through lawful and democratic channels, insisting that the outcome of the party’s primary election must be respected.
