A coalition of civil society organisations under the banner of the Nsukka Democratic Movement (NDM) has issued a strongly worded warning to political actors within and outside Enugu North Senatorial District, cautioning against what it described as a “coordinated and deliberate attempt” to impose candidates and undermine democratic processes ahead of upcoming elections in the zone.
In a detailed press statement signed by its Secretary General, Comrade James Ezema, the group said the stakes go beyond routine electoral contests, stressing that “what is at stake is not merely the outcome of upcoming elections, but the very soul of democracy in Nsukka zone.”
The statement, released amid rising political tension ahead of the governorship poll, the Enugu North Senatorial District bye-election, and the Nsukka Local Government Area election, accused unnamed actors of orchestrating “backroom arrangements designed to pre-determine candidates and, by extension, electoral outcomes.”
Describing the development as alarming, the NDM declared that “the emerging pattern is no longer speculative—it is structured, deliberate, and increasingly brazen,” warning that such practices represent “a direct assault on democratic norms.”
“Elections are meant to be competitive, participatory, and reflective of the people’s will—not ceremonial endorsements of decisions concluded in private rooms,” the statement read. “Nsukka people cannot and will not be reduced to passive endorsers of elite agreements.”
The coalition went further to question the legitimacy of any candidate produced through such processes, stating unequivocally that “any candidate who emerges through imposition rather than transparent and participatory processes will lack legitimacy in the eyes of the people, regardless of the eventual declaration of results.”
The group also issued a pointed warning to political elites within the zone, declaring that the era of what it termed “political feudalism” had come to an end. It criticised the notion that influence or proximity to power confers authority to dictate electoral outcomes.
“Nsukka is not a political estate to be inherited, shared, or allocated,” the statement asserted. “It is a politically conscious society with a long tradition of intellectual independence and civic awareness.”
According to the NDM, attempts by “a narrow circle of actors to impose candidates or dictate party preferences” amount to “political feudalism, which has no place in a modern democratic order.”
The coalition warned that any continued disregard for the will of the people would attract serious consequences. “Societies that are pushed to the wall often respond with decisive political consequences—and Nsukka will not be an exception,” it cautioned.
Raising concerns over the political climate in the state, the group alleged increasing use of intimidation and coercion in the political process. It described the trend as “the weaponisation of power—where dissent is stifled, opposition voices are intimidated, and political participation is restricted to those willing to submit.”
“Reports of intimidation, subtle threats, and coercive pressure allegedly linked to interests within the ruling structure in Enugu State are deeply troubling,” the statement noted, adding that such actions “create a climate of fear fundamentally incompatible with free and fair elections.”
The group stressed that “democracy cannot coexist with intimidation,” warning that “where fear thrives, legitimacy collapses,” and that “any political project built on coercion is inherently fragile and ultimately unsustainable.”
In a direct critique of the current political approach in the state, the NDM described ongoing strategies linked to the administration of Peter Ndubuisi Mbah as a “profound political miscalculation.”
“No administration seeking renewal of mandate can afford to alienate a critical voting bloc such as Nsukka zone,” the group stated, pointing to “the growing perception of exclusion, combined with reports of intimidation and disregard for local political sensibilities.”
It warned that if such an approach persists, “it will significantly weaken any future electoral proposition tied to the current administration,” adding that “political legitimacy is earned through inclusion, performance, and respect—not enforced through pressure or fear.”
Referencing recent political history, the coalition reminded stakeholders that Nsukka voters have demonstrated independence at the polls. It recalled that “in 2023, the electorate in this zone made a bold and unprecedented decision to reject our son—a sitting Governor—in a senatorial contest.”
“That decision was neither accidental nor emotional; it was a calculated assertion of political independence,” the group said, emphasising that voters in the zone “are not bound by sentiment, geography, or elite endorsement.”
“The implication is clear: Nsukka cannot be taken for granted. Any attempt to do so will be met with firm and decisive resistance,” it added.
The NDM also highlighted what it described as a long-standing imbalance between political loyalty and developmental outcomes in the district. While acknowledging sustained support for the ruling establishment, the group lamented the lack of commensurate development.
“This investment has not translated into commensurate development,” the statement said, noting “glaring deficits in infrastructure, economic opportunities, industrial presence, and social services.”
It further observed that the situation has deteriorated to the point where “even minimal government intervention is often perceived as extraordinary,” describing the trend as “a contradiction—sustained political loyalty without proportional developmental returns.”
“This is no longer tenable,” the group warned. “It fuels disillusionment and raises legitimate concerns about equity, justice, and inclusion in governance.”
The coalition did not spare opposition actors, particularly those linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC), cautioning against the use of similar tactics in seeking political relevance in the zone.
“Nsukka is open to political competition, but not to political intimidation,” the statement declared, insisting that any attempt to expand political influence must be “anchored on ideas, policy alternatives, and credible grassroots engagement—not coercion or opportunistic alliances.”
It warned that if such tactics continue, “2027 will not be business as usual,” but rather “a defining electoral moment with far-reaching consequences.”
In its concluding remarks, the NDM called on all stakeholders—including political parties, security agencies, electoral authorities, and civil society—to act responsibly in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
“The responsibility to safeguard democracy is collective. Silence in the face of manipulation amounts to complicity,” the statement said.
Reaffirming its position, the coalition declared: “The people of Enugu North Senatorial District will determine their political future—not external forces, not political elites, and not coercive structures.”
“Nsukka is not a conquered territory; it is a constituency of conscious, politically aware citizens,” the statement concluded. “Any attempt to undermine this reality will be resisted—peacefully, lawfully, but resolutely. The will of the people is supreme, and it will prevail.”
