The leadership crisis rocking the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, deepened on Tuesday as the party insisted that Dr. Johnpaul Anih remains the duly elected chairman of the party in the state.

In a statement signed by the NDC state Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Ugwueze, the party dismissed claims by Engr. Ibuchukwu Obetta, who allegedly reaffirmed himself as chairman of the party in Enugu State.

Ugwueze described Obetta’s claim as a deliberate attempt to mislead party members and the public about the authentic leadership structure of the NDC in the state.

According to the statement, the state congress of the party, conducted in line with the party constitution and the Electoral Act, produced Anih as the substantive chairman.

The party said the congress was attended by delegates, stakeholders and members from the 17 local government areas of the state.

The NDC further stated that the recently concluded National Convention marked the end of all interim and protem leadership structures within the party, making all duly elected officers the legitimate leaders at various levels.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the duly conducted state congress of the party in Enugu State produced Dr. Johnpaul Anih as the substantive State Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The congress was attended by delegates, stakeholders, and party faithful from across the 17 local government areas of the state and followed the constitutional guidelines of the party and the Electoral Act.

“The just concluded National Convention marked the end of every protem or interim leadership structure within the party, thereby making every duly elected officer across different levels the legitimate and recognized leaders of the NDC,” Ugwueze said.

The party added that leadership positions could only be attained through democratic and constitutional procedures, not through “self-declaration and media propaganda.”

NDC therefore warned aspirants and supporters against making payments into personal accounts of individuals allegedly claiming to be party leaders, noting that such actions could amount to fraud.