…Media dragged into the supremacy battle
…Nnaji suspended by Nnamani’s camp
Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu
Ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State, the crises rocking the Peoples Democratic Party in the state have taken a dangerous turn as two governorship aspirants, Samson Nnamani and Uche Nnaji, have both declared themselves winners of the party’s governorship primary election held in Enugu on May 24, 2026.
This comes as the camp loyal to Samson Chukwu suspended the immediate past Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over what it described as “alleged anti-party activities and conduct considered detrimental to the unity and integrity of the party.”
One Party, Three Factions, Two Governorship Candidates
PACESETTER notes that the Enugu State PDP has become a political party with three different factions and two governorship candidates—a development that political observers have described as worrisome but expected.
Uche Nnaji and his supporters declared themselves the winners, claiming to have polled 7,424 votes to defeat their closest opponent, Samson Nnamani, who polled 600 votes.
According to a publication by Uche Nnaji’s camp, there was widespread celebration among supporters across several parts of the state when the final result, which declared him the winner, was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the PDP Returning Officer for the election, Hon. Augustine Nwachukwu.
Continuing, the publication claimed that:
“Chief Nnaji, while appreciating delegates, party leaders, and supporters for the overwhelming mandate, reiterated his commitment to party unity, inclusive governance, grassroots development, youth empowerment, and the continued advancement of Enugu State.”
Conversely, the Samson Nnamani faction fiercely disputed these, issuing a counter-declaration. Samson Nnamani and his supporters declared that they had won the election by polling 7,542 votes to defeat Uche Nnaji who they claimed had garnered 121 votes.
According to them: “Declaring the result on behalf of the electoral committee, High Chief Wilson Okoye stated that having scored the highest number of valid votes cast, Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani was duly returned as the PDP governorship candidate for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Enugu State.”
They claimed that the primary election was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while security agencies maintained order throughout the exercise.
Media Dragged into the Supremacy Battle
PACESETTER gathered that the media has been dragged into the battle of supremacy between Samson Nnamani and Uche Nnaji’s factions.
For instance, Vanguard had reported in a publication dated May 25, 2026, and titled “Ex-minister Nnaji emerges PDP governorship candidate in Enugu” that Uche Nnaji was the winner of the primary election. Again, Vanguard in another publication dated May 26, 2026, and titled “Enugu 2027: Nnamani defeats Tinubu’s ex-minister in PDP guber primary”, also claimed that Samson Nnamani won the election.
Similarly, Guardian in a May 25, 2026 publication, and titled “2027: Nnaji emerges PDP governorship candidate for Enugu”, reported Uche Nnaji as the winner, and subsequently reported Samson Nnamani as the winner in another publication dated May 26, 2026 and titled “Nnamani declared winner of PDP governorship primaries in Enugu”.
Uche Nnaji Suspended by Nnamani’s camp
In another twist, the camp loyal to Samson Chukwu suspended the immediate past Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over what it described as “alleged anti-party activities and conduct considered detrimental to the unity and integrity of the party”.
According to a letter which was seen by PACESETTER, and signed by the Chairman and Secretary of Akpugo ward 3, Emmanuel Egbo and Kingsley Nnam, the suspension takes immediate effect pending the conclusion of investigations and disciplinary proceedings in line with the provisions of the PDP constitution, following petitions and allegations submitted by Hon. Afam Chika Nnamani of Isienu Akpawfu Ward in Nkanu East Local Government Area, accusing Chief Uche Nnaji of engaging in acts capable of bringing the party into disrepute.
Our correspondent reports that the suspension was announced on the eve of the PDP governorship primary election in Enugu State, shortly after Uche Nnaji’s camp announced the suspension of Samson Nnamani.
Akpugo Ward 3 Debunks Alleged Suspension of Uche Nnaji
Reacting to the suspension of Uche Nnaji, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akpugo Ward 3, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, refuted the purported suspension, describing the viral letter circulating online as fake, malicious, and politically motivated.
In a press statement dated Sunday, May 24, 2026, and signed by Nnaji Ikenna Clement (Ward Chairman) and Nwodo Emeka Daniel (Ward Secretary) who claimed to be the original executives, the ward leadership dismissed the alleged suspension letter as the handiwork of “desperate mischief makers” bent on causing confusion and tarnishing the image of the respected political figure, noting that while the development was merely “the final kick of a dying horse”, the letter did not originate from any recognized organ of the PDP in Akpugo Ward 3, insisting that it should be treated as null, void, and without any consequence.
Recall that PACESETTER, in its May 23, 2026 Exclusive, had detailed the brewing crisis in the Enugu State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party.
As of press time, neither the national leadership of the PDP nor the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued an official statement.