A Senatorial aspirant for Edo South on the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) platform, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinwa, has raised concerns over what he describes as undemocratic practices within the party, following his alleged exclusion from receiving the senatorial ticket despite winning the primary election held on May 29. Agbonayinwa, a former member of the House of Representatives, claims he secured victory in the primary but has yet to be officially declared the candidate, as the NDC has not released results for any of its senatorial, House of Representatives, gubernatorial, or state legislative primaries. His comments come amid growing unrest among party members who feel sidelined by the party’s leadership.
During an appearance on Arise News on Friday, Agbonayinwa directly criticized the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, accusing him of imposing his will on the entire NDC structure. He emphasized that while he respects Dickson and other top party officials like the National Chairman, Secretary Barrister Ikenna, and the National Public Secretary, he believes no single individual should have the power to dictate the party’s future. “One man cannot dictate for the whole NDC,” Agbonayinwa stated, stressing that democracy must be practiced within the party as well as in governance.
Agbonayinwa expressed frustration over the delay in announcing primary results, noting that over a week had passed since the May 29 elections, and it was now June 5. He questioned what the party leadership was hiding, especially since he believes he won the senatorial seat outright. He also dismissed claims that the party is prioritizing a female candidate for the senatorial position, saying such decisions should not override the outcome of a democratic primary. “We went to primaries, those who won should be given the opportunity,” he insisted.
He further criticized the notion that he should personally visit the National Leader’s residence daily to seek approval, calling it undemocratic and contrary to the principles of a people-driven political process. “Democracy is for the people, by the people,” he reiterated, asserting that members must be allowed to decide their own fate. Agbonayinwa’s comments reflect a broader dissatisfaction within the NDC over leadership transparency and candidate selection procedures.
As the party remains silent on primary results, tensions continue to rise among aspirants and members. The situation could have significant implications for the NDC’s credibility and internal cohesion ahead of the 2023 general elections. The party’s leadership will need to address these concerns swiftly to maintain unity and public confidence.
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