NDC House Aspirant Claims Gender Discrimination in Abia Primary School

Boniface Okoro in Umuahia

Nkasiobi Madumere, a House of Representatives aspirant for the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South federal constituency on the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) platform, has accused the party of severe discrimination and disenfranchisement during its May 29, 2026 primaries. She claims she was ignored by officials “simply because I am a woman.”

Speaking to journalists in Umuahia last Wednesday evening, the legal practitioner from Old Umuahia in Umuahia South Local Government Area said she was the sole female aspirant contesting for the NDC ticket for a federal seat in the entire Southeast and the only candidate physically present at the primaries.

Madumere alleged that officials conducting the exercise deliberately bypassed her line after counting the votes of her six male co‑aspirants, even though more than 500 supporters were still queued behind her at 4:30 p.m.

“When they reached my line and saw the massive turnout, the queue, the supporters behind me, they quickly turned and moved back without counting me and my followers,” she said. “I had to protest, and I have videos of that, asking them to come and count my over 500 supporters still on the ground between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. They vehemently refused simply because I am a woman.” The lawyer explained that this occurred at the Olokoro venue in Umuahia South, adding that her experience was the same at the Ikwuano and Umuahia North venues, where none of her queues were counted.

“If I, at my level as a legal practitioner, can be discriminated against in broad daylight, what will happen to the ordinary market woman who wishes to represent her people?” she asked.

She maintains that, based on the crowd and participation, she believes she emerged the winner of the primaries for the constituency.

Madumere described how the primaries were marred by delays and last‑minute venue changes. She said the venue for Umuahia South was communicated at 1 a.m. on May 29 and moved from the LGA headquarters at Apumiri Ubakala to Civic Centre, Ahiaukwu Olokoro, then further to Olokoro Primary School. Both venues lacked INEC officials, party panels, or state executives until after 1 p.m.; voting did not commence until 4:30 p.m., by which time most of her 1,000 early supporters had left due to fatigue.

She accused state officials of colluding with an aspirant to shift the Umuahia South venue to his Olokoro base to gain an undue advantage.

Madumere also visited the Umuahia North venue at Murphy’s Mansion Hotel by 2 p.m. and found no officials on the ground, a development she video‑recorded and transmitted to party leaders as evidence.

The aspirant alleged irregularities, including the presence of non‑party members, chaos, and even assaults on officials at the venues.

She said she had petitioned the NDC Appeal Committee and the national chairman but has yet to receive a response, urging the NDC national leadership to intervene and “fix Abia State” ahead of 2027, alleging that the “mess” was caused by the state executive.

Madumere, a member of the Obidient Movement and Contact Person for the Abia State Village Boys Movement, said she joined the race to promote good governance and contribute to nation‑building.

As of press time, the NDC Abia State leadership and the party’s Appeal Committee had not responded to the allegations.