By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Umuahia, June 3, 2026
A Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) aspirant for the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Mrs. Nkasiobi Madumere, has alleged that she was disenfranchised and discriminated against during the party’s House of Representatives primary election held on May 29, 2026.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday in Umuahia, Madumere, who said she was the only female aspirant contesting a House of Representatives seat, expressed disappointment over what she described as unfair treatment during the exercise.
According to her, she joined the race after being encouraged by supporters and party members who believed in her vision of contributing to good governance and effective representation.
Madumere stated that after purchasing the nomination form and successfully passing through screening, and was cleared to contest she mobilised supporters from Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Ikwuano Local Government Areas that make up the constituency for the primary election.
Madumere alleged that the conduct of the primaries was characterised by irregularities, including late communication of venues, delays in the arrival of party officials, and frequent changes in locations.
She explained that the venue for the Umuahia South primary was communicated only in the early hours of the election day.
Madumere said that the venue which was initially announced to be Civic Centre in Olokoro was eventually moved to Olokoro Primary School after supporters had already gathered.
According to her, party and election officials arrived several hours behind schedule, resulting in many supporters leaving the venue before voting commenced.
The aspirant claimed that when party officials eventually began counting supporters of the various aspirants, they counted supporters of her male counterparts but allegedly refused to count hers despite what she described as a large turnout of her supporters.
“I was physically present throughout the exercise in the Umuahia South LGA venue for the exercise which is Olokoro Primary School, unlike some other aspirants who were represented by agents.
“However, when it got to my turn, the officials allegedly turned away without counting me or my supporters,” she said.
Madumere described the action as a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise her and alleged that it was motivated by gender bias.
She further claimed that her supporters in Umuahia North and Ikwuano LGAs were also not counted during the exercise, insisting that the alleged exclusion occurred across the entire federal constituency.
Madumere said that she had formally submitted petitions to the party’s Appeal Committee, the National Chairman, and other relevant organs of the party, seeking redress.
While stressing that she was not playing gender politics, she maintained that the circumstances surrounding the exercise amounted to discrimination against women seeking elective positions.
Madumere also called on the national leadership of NDC to investigate the conduct of the primaries in Abia, alleging that several irregularities marred the exercise.
She said that restoring confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes would require a thorough review of the actions of party officials involved in the conduct of the primaries.
Madumere urged the party leadership to ensure justice and fairness for all aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
She reiterated her commitment to the ideals of good governance, inclusive participation and effective representation.
Madumere said that women should not be discouraged from seeking elective office through actions that undermine confidence in the democratic process.
In a telephone interview, the Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Abia State, Mr Kanu Dike, urged party members to remain calm and allow the party’s internal processes to take their course.
Dike said: “For now, every loyal party member must remain patient and await the verdict of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
“Every loyal party member should allow the party processes to run their course and wait for the outcome.”
He noted that the party’s Appeal Panel and NEC were already considering petitions arising from the recently conducted primaries.
Dike added that the party’s leadership would make their decisions known after due consideration of all valid and substantial complaints.
