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NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE — The Nsukka Democratic Movement (NDM) has opened a broad-based political consultation ahead of the 2027 general elections, inviting aspirants for the Senate, House of Representatives, Enugu State House of Assembly and governorship to face the people of Enugu North Senatorial District and present their development agendas.
The pro-democracy platform said the proposed roundtable would provide a public forum for political aspirants to explain their programmes, priorities and specific commitments while answering questions from the electorate on how they intend to use public office to advance the interests of Nsukka and Enugu North.
In a statement signed by its Acting Coordinator and Secretary General, Comrade James Ezema, the NDM said the initiative was designed to move political participation in Nsukka away from automatic electoral support and towards a culture of accountability, competence, measurable commitments and informed voting.
The Movement declared that the era when candidates could expect the votes of Nsukka people merely because of political party affiliation, zoning, community identity, personal relationships, religious considerations or endorsements by political elites was over.
“The era of asking our people to support candidates simply because they belong to a particular party, political bloc, community, religious group, political family or because they have been presented by political elites is over,” the NDM stated.
“The days of blind support without a clear agenda for the development of Nsukka zone are over.”
NDM Demands Specific Development Commitments
The Movement said aspirants participating in the proposed engagement would be expected to present practical and achievable programmes addressing the pressing development challenges confronting Enugu North Senatorial District.
According to the NDM, areas of focus would include infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment, agriculture, industrialisation, security, human capital development, youth empowerment and the creation of sustainable economic opportunities.
It said aspirants would be assessed not merely on their ability to win elections but also on their competence, character, capacity, integrity, track record, accessibility, vision, accountability and demonstrated commitment to public service.
The organisation said each aspirant would have to explain what he or she intended to achieve, how the proposed objectives would be accomplished and what measurable outcomes the people should expect if elected.
Incumbents To Present Scorecards
The NDM also made clear that the roundtable would not be restricted to new aspirants.
It said incumbent political office holders seeking re-election would be required to present their stewardship and submit their records to public scrutiny.
“Incumbency cannot be a substitute for performance, and the occupation of a political office cannot automatically translate into another mandate,” the Movement said.
It challenged current office holders to answer questions on projects attracted to the district, legislation or policies pursued, their representation of Nsukka’s interests and the measurable impact of their tenure.
“What have you done with the mandate entrusted to you? What projects have you attracted? What legislation or policies have you pursued? What impact have you made? How have you represented the interests of Nsukka? What measurable difference can the people point to?” the NDM asked.
Senate, Reps, Assembly And Governorship Under Scrutiny
The Movement said the consultation would cover the major elective positions for which voters in Enugu North would be required to make choices in 2027.
These include the Senate, House of Representatives, Enugu State House of Assembly and governorship elections.
It stressed that although all the positions form part of the electoral process, they carry different constitutional responsibilities and must therefore be subjected to separate evaluation.
The NDM said the ability to win an election should not be the sole consideration in choosing political representatives, arguing that electoral victory should be viewed as the beginning of public accountability rather than the end of political engagement.
“We are not interested only in candidates who can win elections. We are interested in candidates who can win elections and subsequently deliver for the people,” it stated.
“Victory at the polls is only the beginning. The real question is what happens after victory.”
NDM Says It Will Not Impose Candidates
The Movement clarified that the roundtable was not intended to impose candidates on the electorate but to create a transparent and participatory process through which aspirants could earn the confidence of the people.
It said that after the consultations, it would work with affiliate organisations and other democratic stakeholders towards building a broad-based consensus around candidates who demonstrate competence, capacity, acceptability and commitment to the interests of Enugu North.
The NDM said candidates who emerge from a credible and participatory process and earn the confidence of the people could expect the political mobilisation of the district behind their candidacies.
“Nsukka has the population, the votes and the democratic strength to make a difference in the 2027 elections. What has been lacking is often the strategic deployment of that strength,” it stated.
“We intend to change that.”
‘No More Blank Cheques’
The Movement warned political parties and aspirants against assuming that the votes of Nsukka would automatically be available without accountability or clearly defined commitments.
It said voters should no longer be expected to issue political “blank cheques” on the basis of party affiliation, ethnic sentiment, zoning, personal relationships or elite endorsements.
“Nobody should come to Nsukka in 2027 merely to ask for votes. Come and tell our people what you are bringing to the table,” the NDM said.
“Come with your agenda. Come with your record. Come with your plans. Come prepared to answer questions. Come prepared to make commitments that the people can hold you accountable to after the election.”
The Movement called on traditional institutions, community leaders, professional bodies, youth and women organisations, civil society groups, religious organisations, community development associations, political stakeholders and the wider electorate across Enugu North to participate actively in the process.
According to the NDM, the initiative is also intended to strengthen voters’ capacity to make informed electoral choices and reinforce the principle that political representation is a public trust rather than a reward for political loyalty.
The Movement declared that the 2027 elections should usher in a new political culture in Nsukka, where voters would interrogate candidates, assess records, examine development proposals and make strategic choices based on the interests of the people.
“Nsukka will listen to the aspirants. Nsukka will question them. Nsukka will assess their records and proposals. Nsukka will make informed choices,” the Movement declared.
“And when the people have spoken through a credible and democratic consensus, the entire political strength of Enugu North Senatorial District will be mobilised behind candidates who have earned the confidence of our people and demonstrated a genuine commitment to the development of our zone.”
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