By Paul Joseph
A fresh political crisis has engulfed the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ebonyi State as more than 11 members of the party’s State Executive Council (EXCO) have resigned, citing alleged irregularities and manipulation of the party’s May 29 primary elections.
The wave of resignations, which has sent shockwaves through the party, comes amid growing discontent over the conduct of the primaries, with the aggrieved officials accusing the party’s national leadership of abandoning internal democracy in favour of powerful political interests.
Those who have resigned include the Deputy State Chairman, Comrade Okey Idenyi; State Secretary, Barrister Aduma Solomon Chinedu; State Youth Leader, Anthony Nwofe; Deputy State Youth Leader, Emenike Daniel Oroke; State Welfare Officer, Hon. Ajah Cyril; and five Local Government Area chairmen, among others.
Copies of the resignation letters obtained on Monday revealed that the officials blamed their decision on what they described as a “highly compromised” primary election allegedly influenced by former Ebonyi State Governor, Senator Sam Egwu.
The aggrieved leaders alleged that widely accepted aspirants, including Architect Christian Asaga Nwali (C-Sagas), were unfairly denied victory through a process they claimed ignored the wishes of party members and grassroots supporters.
According to them, the national leadership of the NDC chose to protect influential figures within the party rather than address complaints raised by members.
“When a party abandons internal democracy and the voice of its base, it loses its foundation. More resignations are expected to follow. A party that cannot respect its own members cannot claim to represent the people,” part of the resignation statement read.
In his resignation letter dated June 21, 2026, Deputy State Chairman Comrade Okey Idenyi recounted his contributions to building the NDC structure across Ebonyi State before the arrival of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Idenyi said he helped establish party structures in several local government areas, paid for the party secretariat and personally funded its renovation.
He, however, expressed disappointment that the party had deviated from the democratic ideals that attracted him.
According to him, the primary election process was hijacked, with party officials allegedly abandoning designated venues while results were reportedly prepared elsewhere.
“The process that produced the candidates for the NDC in Ebonyi State is questionable and corrupt,” he declared.
He further lamented that many party supporters were attacked and injured during the primaries after being left without any party officials to supervise the exercise.
Similarly, the State Secretary, Chief Barrister Aduma Solomon Chinedu, accused the national leadership of ignoring repeated petitions over the Ebonyi primaries despite concerns raised by party officials.
He stated that the silence of the party leadership convinced him that the NDC no longer operates according to democratic principles or the rule of law.
“My political interest and that of my supporters, who are foundation members of the party, are in danger of being denied their constitutional rights,” Chinedu wrote.
The latest development follows an earlier protest staged in Abuja by over 1,000 supporters of Architect Christian Asaga Nwali, popularly known as C-Sagas, who accused party leaders of plotting to manipulate the Ebonyi Central Senatorial District primary election.
The protesters appealed to NDC National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson, presidential candidate Peter Obi, and other party leaders to intervene and ensure that what they described as the genuine mandate of party members was not subverted.
As the crisis deepens, political observers believe the mass resignation of key party officials could significantly weaken the NDC’s structure in Ebonyi State ahead of future political contests, with indications that more defections may follow if the leadership fails to address the grievances.
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