By Sebastine Okafor, Ph.D.
A few days ago, the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, convened a meeting for all the leaders of the party in Enugu State to identify the issues affecting the party and discuss how to move the party forward.
As the Secretary of the party in Enugu State, some members of the State Working Committee and I were invited, but due to time constraints, I could not make it. However, as a well trained columnist, investigative and interpretative journalist, I was able to extract all the information that transpired from our group, opposing group, and others who work with some leaders of the party at the National level.
My findings are what I will detail in this piece. I found out that what was meant to be a meeting to find a way forward became a can of worms, as one revelation opened the door to another. Even the convener was said to have been shocked by the extent of the problems and allegations that emerged.
In the meeting, it was evident that NDC Enugu State is on course for total electoral failure, which will favour the PDP and APC in 2027 if absolute justice is not allowed to thrive. During the meeting, the former alleged Senatorial candidate of the party, who was visibly aggrieved, accused the factional gubernatorial candidate of working for the APC and not being serious about the party. He alleged that the man is not popular and that the only face of the opposition is the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who is already in the PDP. In making his point, he also alleged that the gubernatorial candidate gave him a sum [named sum withheld by us] to run an election in which he did not attend his campaigns and subsequently worked with some members of the national leadership to remove him. From his statement, one could feel the anger in his voice and the fire in his determination to fight back against those he believed had betrayed him. The bitterness surrounding the allegation was understandable, particularly against the background of their previous political relationship.
The situation became even more revealing when allegations previously directed against other members of the party were reportedly turned against those making them.
My findings revealed that the meeting also reportedly exposed the extent to which young leaders had become alienated from the party. According to accounts of the discussions, many participants believed that the marginalisation and neglect of younger members contributed significantly to the internal crisis.
One particularly serious allegation concerned the claim that Dr. Johnpaul Anih and his group collected ₦300 million from the APC to destabilise the NDC. The allegation was reportedly made by one of those who had previously advanced similar claims, and it allegedly shocked Senator Dickson. No evidence substantiating the allegation was presented in the meeting.
The development demonstrated one uncomfortable reality of internal political conflicts: allegations can eventually return to those who make them. The truths that began to emerge from the meeting were a clear indication that the National Leader was not aware of the enormity of the crisis in the state. He was not aware that the people he entrusted with managing the party did not understand his vision and political ideology.
Perhaps the most significant revelation was the apparent lack of clarity surrounding the emergence of candidates in Enugu State. It reportedly became clear that some candidates currently presenting themselves as NDC candidates did not emerge through recognised primary elections. Questions were also raised over the circumstances surrounding the acceptance of the name of the party’s factional gubernatorial candidate. According to the account of my findings, INEC officials had initially questioned the candidate’s emergence on the grounds that he had not participated in a known primary election. It was subsequently alleged that the party asked that his name be submitted while arguing that only a court of competent jurisdiction could remove him if anyone challenged his candidacy.
The controversy reportedly became more complicated after the candidate announced himself publicly as the NDC candidate on May 26, 2026, before subsequently deleting the post after being cautioned.
These developments raise a fundamental question: can a political party claim to be offering Nigerians a credible alternative while failing to adhere strictly to the democratic procedures required to produce its candidates?
Another issue raised during the meeting concerned the relationship between the NDC and the Enugu Resident Electoral Commissioner.
One of the factional candidates reportedly accused the REC of frustrating the NDC and working for the APC. However, another factional female NDC candidate reportedly challenged that argument, pointing out that the REC had applied the same standards to other political parties. That intervention deserves commendation because electoral rules cannot be selectively applied simply because a particular party is dissatisfied with them.
In my view, the Enugu REC has demonstrated firmness in dealing with questions surrounding electoral compliance. His reported position captures the fundamental principle that should guide electoral administration. If a party did not conduct a primary election, it cannot reasonably expect an electoral officer to certify that one took place. You cannot build a house on sand and blame the wind when the walls begin to shake.
The meeting with Senator Dickson was inconclusive, reportedly ending without a final resolution, with the National Leader asking that the Enugu crisis be resolved within the state.
That proposal raises another important concern.
If the National Secretary and Zonal Vice Chairman of the party are themselves alleged to have played roles in the crisis, can they objectively preside over the process of resolving it? Those with direct interests in a dispute should not ordinarily be the final arbiters of that dispute. You cannot ask the accused to sit as judge in his own case, nor can you put the fox in charge of guarding the henhouse.
NDC leaders should also recognise the role played by Dr. Johnpaul Anih and his team in conducting a primary election which, according to their position, produced candidates for the party. If the argument is that Dr. Anih lacked the authority to conduct the primary, then the obvious question is: who conducted the recognised primary election that produced the party’s candidates?
The inability of Senator Dickson’s representatives to conduct a primary election was reportedly one of the factors that frustrated several politicians, including Hon. Tony Ugwu and Hon. Humphrey Onyima, out of the party. You cannot shut the door and complain that people are standing outside; you cannot destroy the bridge and then blame others for not crossing the river.
Dr. Johnpaul Anih and his team —which I am a part of — should not be underestimated. They have demonstrated that they are prepared to defend their position, and any peace process must therefore be transparent, credible and inclusive. Any attempt to get the issues resolved must be clear and not an ambush. Nobody is a fool, and any attempt to peddle what did not happen during the meeting will be resisted. Let me say it again: peace talks in Enugu are important, but the National Secretary and Zonal Vice Chairman should not be part of them as interested parties. The process should be handled by independent bodies with zero interest in the matter.
From all indications, however, some of those calling for peace may not yet be prepared for the compromises required to achieve it. The reported attitude that some members are too insignificant to negotiate with is fundamentally incompatible with democratic politics. You cannot seek peace with one hand while holding the sword with the other. No political organisation can build a sustainable opposition by treating sections of its membership as irrelevant.
In my next write-up, I will examine what happened at the second meeting, why some leaders reportedly boycotted it despite attending the first meeting with Senator Dickson, their laughable proposed solution and more.
However, I must acknowledge that I am beginning to admire Dr. SKC Ogbonnia. He is a force to reckon with — a firm, fearless and purpose-driven leader who tells bitter leaf its ugly taste to its face. He does not sugarcoat the truth or dance around the issue; he looks it straight in the eye and calls it by its name.