According to party sources, Ugwu defected to the NDC shortly before the party's primary election and was interested in securing the House of Representatives ticket for the Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency.

NDC candidate, Bishop Oscar Ossai, rejects the Enugu North by-election result, citing widespread irregularities and electoral malpractices. The party plans

The aggrieved members alleged that no meaningful primaries took place in several parts of the state and that party officials simply announced preferred candidates.