Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and prominent member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Sam Amadi, has condemned the recent primary election held by the Imo State chapter of the party, alleging widespread ticket racketeering and financial exploitation of aspirants. He claims that party officials collected money from candidates under the guise of securing nomination tickets, only to fail to deliver them. The incident has sparked outrage among several aspirants who say they were misled and financially harmed.
Amadi, speaking on the outcome of the primary, revealed that numerous candidates have approached him with complaints about being asked to pay undisclosed sums to party officials in exchange for tickets. He emphasized that these payments were made outside the officially declared party fees, which he described as a clear violation of party ethics and democratic principles. The former NERC boss stated that such actions amount to fraud and undermine the credibility of the political process.
He urged all affected aspirants to come forward and report their cases to him, pledging to assist in recovering their money. “Please, if you are one of those who paid money to anyone apart from officially declared fees, contact me and let me recover your money,” Amadi said. His statement reflects a growing concern over the commercialization of political nominations, a trend that has increasingly plagued Nigeria’s electoral landscape.
Amadi warned that if such fraudulent practices are not checked, they will erode public trust in political parties and the democratic system. He stressed that political processes must not be turned into profit-making ventures. “There must be accountability for fraud. This is beyond politics. If you collected money for a transaction, then perform or refund,” he added. He called for strict internal oversight within the NDC to ensure transparency and fairness in future primaries.
The allegations have cast a shadow over the Imo State NDC’s internal affairs, raising questions about leadership accountability and governance within the party. As aspirants await clarity on their nominations, Amadi’s intervention may serve as a catalyst for reform. His stance highlights the need for stronger ethical standards in Nigerian politics, especially as the country prepares for upcoming elections. The situation underscores the importance of vigilance and transparency in political party operations to safeguard democracy.
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