ABUJA, October 25, 2026 — Amb. Monyeazor Oluebube Sunday, Media Aide to Hon. Pascal Karibe Ojigwe, has dismissed reports of multiple Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidates for Bende Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that Ojigwe is the party’s sole recognised flag bearer.
In a press statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, October 24, Monyeazor said the clarification followed inquiries from Bende voters, stakeholders, youths and elders at home and in the diaspora over reports that two individuals were claiming the party’s ticket.
He maintained that Ojigwe was the only candidate recognised by the NDC leadership and listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ruling out any parallel candidacy or factional ticket for the constituency.
Ojigwe is a former member of Nigeria’s 1993 Golden Eaglets World Championship-winning team, a former Bayer Leverkusen player who featured in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final, and a former Super Eagles defender with 17 international caps.
Campaign Cites Meetings With Nwaogu, Obi
Monyeazor said Ojigwe’s candidacy had been consistently affirmed at strategic meetings involving Distinguished Senator Dr. Nkechi Nwaogu and NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi.
He cited a stakeholders’ meeting at Nwaogu’s Abuja residence, an expanded Abia NDC leadership meeting and a recent strategic meeting between Obi and the party’s National Assembly candidates in Abuja.
According to the statement, other candidates at the meeting included Uko Nkole for Abia North, Dr. Kasarachi Enyinna for Abia South, Hon. Chimaeze Dike, Hon. Stanley Uche, Hon. Ugorji Chikezie, Hon. Uchenna ThankGod and Hon. Elvis Ogbonna.
The aide said photographs, videos and meeting minutes were available to support the campaign’s account that Ojigwe had been presented as the party’s candidate for Bende at each of the meetings.
Warns Against Misleading Posters
Monyeazor attributed the confusion to individuals he alleged had lost out in other parties and were now claiming the NDC ticket, printing campaign posters or asserting that they had obtained nomination forms from unofficial offices.
He urged voters to verify candidacy claims through the party’s proper nomination, screening and recognition processes, stressing that circulating campaign materials did not, by themselves, establish the authenticity of a ticket.
He described the NDC as a political platform associated with the Obidient Movement led by Peter Obi and the Kwankwasiyya Movement led by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The statement further claimed that, as of October 24, Ojigwe was the only name submitted, screened, cleared and published for Bende Federal Constituency. However, the aide did not attach INEC documentation or official party records to independently substantiate that assertion.
Campaign Promises ‘New Bende’
Addressing residents from Alayi and Igbere to Ozuitem, Item, Bende town, Itumbuzo, Nkpa, Umuhu Ezechi, Ugwueke and Ozuakoli, Monyeazor urged the electorate not to be swayed by competing claims over the party’s ticket.
He also criticised previous representation in the constituency, alleging that Bende had endured two decades of poor performance, including roads without adequate drainage, boreholes without reticulation and representatives who appeared only periodically rather than maintaining consistent engagement with constituents.
According to him, Ojigwe’s proposed “Bende Standard” had unsettled political opponents, whom he accused of attempting to divide the constituency’s votes by creating confusion over the NDC candidacy.
The campaign’s message, he said, was built around one ticket for Bende Federal Constituency, Ojigwe as its candidate and a mission to deliver a “New Bende.”
Monyeazor concluded that posters, banners and broadcasts promoting another person as the NDC candidate should not be treated as proof of candidacy without verification through official party and electoral records.
The statement was signed by Amb. Monyeazor Oluebube Sunday, Media Aide and Strategic Communication Lead of the Karibe Ojigwe Campaign Organization (KOCO), on behalf of Hon. Pascal Karibe Ojigwe.