NDC Party Crisis Deepens In Enugu As Members Threaten To Boycott Council Poll
NDC Party Crisis Deepens In Enugu As Members Threaten To Boycott Council Poll
The NDC argued that no electoral management body has the constitutional authority to deny a registered political party access to election materials or create administrative obstacles capable of excluding it from an electoral contest.
The internal crisis rocking the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) took a fresh turn on Saturday as the party’s Enugu State chapter announced the expulsion of one of its members, Mr. SKC Ogbonnia, while threatening to boycott the forthcoming local government elections over the alleged refusal of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) to release its election materials.
The party accused ENSIEC of frustrating its participation in the council poll by withholding official electoral materials meant for the NDC, describing the alleged action as an attack on democracy and the rule of law.
The resolutions were contained in a statement issued on Saturday after an emergency meeting of the Enugu State Executive Committee, where party leaders unanimously condemned what they described as attempts to exclude the NDC from the electoral process.
According to the party, in the statement signed by the Enugu State Secretary, Hon. Nebo Chukwujekwu Emmanuel, the refusal by ENSIEC to release its election materials could leave it with no choice but to withdraw from the election.
“The Party further alleged that ENSIEC refused to release the official Local Government Election materials belonging to the Nigeria Democratic Congress to its duly authorised representatives, thereby effectively preventing the Party from participating fully in the electoral process,” the statement said.
It added that the alleged action “constitutes a deliberate denial of its constitutional and electoral rights and amounts to a direct assault on democracy, the rule of law, and the principles of fair political participation.”
The NDC argued that no electoral management body has the constitutional authority to deny a registered political party access to election materials or create administrative obstacles capable of excluding it from an electoral contest.
“The Party warned that any attempt to deny the Nigeria Democratic Congress the opportunity to participate in the elections through the withholding of its electoral materials amounts to political discrimination, abuse of administrative powers, and a violation of the Party’s constitutional rights,” the statement added.
The party warned that unless ENSIEC immediately releases the materials and guarantees equal participation in the election, it would boycott the exercise.
“Unless ENSIEC immediately releases the Local Government Election materials due to the Nigeria Democratic Congress and guarantees the Party equal participation in the electoral process, it would have no option but to withdraw from the forthcoming Local Government Elections,” it stated.
According to the party, participating under such circumstances would amount to legitimising an electoral process that “lacks fairness, transparency and credibility.”
Beyond the dispute with ENSIEC, the Enugu chapter also announced the expulsion of SKC Ogbonnia from the party over alleged anti-party activities and gross misconduct.
The party said Ogbonnia had been under indefinite suspension since May 18, 2026, following disciplinary proceedings initiated by the Ward Executive Committee of Ward 9 (Amoli/Ogugu/Owelli/Ugbo) in Awgu Local Government Area.
According to the statement, the suspension stemmed from allegations of anti-party activities, sabotage, disloyalty and conduct prejudicial to the interests of the party.
The party alleged that despite the suspension remaining in force, Ogbonnia went ahead to obtain and pay for the party’s expression of interest form for the forthcoming local government election.
“The State Executive Committee described this action as a deliberate act of defiance against the Party’s disciplinary processes, arguing that a suspended member lacked the moral and constitutional standing to participate in the Party’s nomination process,” the statement said.
It further alleged that Ogbonnia’s actions appeared premeditated and had reinforced concerns that he was acting in furtherance of interests contrary to those of the NDC.
Following a review of the disciplinary proceedings and recommendations from the ward executive, the state executive committee resolved to expel him from the party.
“The expulsion became necessary following what it described as his continued actions despite his indefinite suspension, which allegedly brought the Party into disrepute and undermined its constitutional structures,” the statement said.
According to the NDC, the decision has been forwarded to the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) for formal ratification in line with its constitution.
The party urged its national leadership to take “all necessary legal and political steps” to safeguard its constitutional rights and ensure its participation in the local government election.
It also appealed to members across Enugu State to remain calm, united and law-abiding while awaiting the National Executive Committee’s decision on Ogbonnia’s expulsion.
“The issue transcends personalities and concerns the defence of democratic principles, equal political participation, and the constitutional rights of every registered political party in Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
