The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday declared Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime and other candidates elected by his faction as the validly nominated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates for April’s general elections.

With this development, the faction loyal to ex-National Chairman of PDP Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo might have finally lost out.

The commission directed the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr. Josiah Uwazuruonye, to paste the names of the governor and his men at the state INEC office as the PDP candidates.

By 6pm yesterday, the names were already on display at the INEC office in Enugu.

In a February 14 letter to the REC by INEC’s National Commissioner for Legal services, Mr. Phillip Umeadi Jnr., the commission said the hitherto ratification of the nomination of Chief Anayo Onwuegbu as PDP governorship candidate had been suspended.

The letter titled "RE: Publication of forms CF001-Affidavit in support of personal particulars of candidates," reads: "My letter dated February 11 refers.

"Please note that sequel to developments in the ongoing proceedings in the matter, the particulars of the candidates earlier sent to you for publication should be suspended.

"On the advice of our legal team, kindly prepare for publication the particulars of Governor Sullivan Chime and others on the list."

Others whose mandate have been restored by INEC as candidates in Enugu are Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West); Senate spokesman Ayogu Eze (Enugu North);and Gil Nnaji (Enugu East).

Others are the Speaker of the Enugu House of Assembly, Eugene Odo and 24 members of the Assembly; and some candidates for the House of Representatives like Ifeanyi Uguwanyi; Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi; Ofor Chukwuegbo; Peace Nanji; and Pat Asadu.

Also yesterday, the Chime camp called for the removal of the REC. Mr. Ray Nnaji, leader of the group, accused the REC of showing bias.

The group said given the way Uwazuruoronye had acted, "We cannot have him here as the umpire who will oversee the April elections and give us a credible election as envisaged by the President and the INEC chairman."

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