By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Returning Officer for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Engr. Prof. Paul Chukwulozie Onyeabor Okolie, has dismissed as fake and fraudulent any result being circulated for the Awka South Constituency II House of Assembly primary election other than the one officially signed and released by him.
Okolie, a Professor of Mechanical and Production Engineering and Member Representing Congregation in the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, made the clarification in a strongly-worded statement addressed to the leadership of the NDC in Abuja over the week.
The development comes amid growing controversy over the outcome of the party’s primary election for Awka South Constituency II, with allegations of attempts by some interests to alter or undermine the result of the exercise conducted on May 29, 2026.
In the statement, Prof. Okolie stated unequivocally that he was the duly appointed Returning Officer for the NDC primaries conducted in Awka South Local Government Area, covering the Presidential, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly elections.
According to him, the exercise, which held at Umuzocha Hall, Awka, was conducted in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere under his supervision, with a representative of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Ozoagu Edith Chinyere, present to observe the proceedings.
He explained that the authentic result of the Awka South Constituency II House of Assembly primary showed Evangelist Chinedu Raymond Obue securing a landslide victory with 625 votes, while his opponent, Mr. Sam Chuks Okpanduka, garnered 73 votes.
Prof. Okolie stressed that the result was duly signed by him in his capacity as Returning Officer and accurately reflected the wishes of the delegates and party members who participated in the exercise.
While expressing concern over reports of an alternative result allegedly being circulated in his name, he categorically disowned any such document, insisting that it neither originated from him nor bears his authorization.
“It has come to my attention that a result for Awka South Constituency II which I did not sign has been circulated in place of the authentic result. Such a document is false, fraudulent and does not emanate from me,” he declared.
The university don further warned that, as a man of integrity and a respected academic, he would not remain silent while attempts are made to perpetrate injustice using his name and office.
He maintained that any result that does not reflect the figures recorded during the election and does not declare Chinedu Raymond Obue as the winner should be regarded as fake and disregarded by the party.
Prof. Okolie also threatened legal action against any aspirant, individual or group found to have forged his signature or linked him to documents he did not sign, assuring to take up a legal battle against such forgery.
He further urged the national leadership of the NDC to stand by the authentic result and resist any attempt to compromise the democratic choice made by delegates during the primary election.
According to him, failure to uphold the genuine outcome of the exercise would erode public confidence in the party and undermine its professed commitment to justice, transparency and democratic principles.
The Returning Officer further argued that respecting the authentic result was necessary to protect the integrity of the party’s internal electoral process and preserve the trust of its members and supporters.
He therefore called on the party leadership to ensure that the mandate freely given by delegates is protected and that the officially declared winner of the primary election is not denied the fruits of his victory.
The statement is expected to further intensify calls by stakeholders for the NDC leadership to uphold the outcome of the Awka South Constituency II primary and bring clarity to the controversy surrounding the party’s ticket for the constituency.
