The Nigeria Democratic Congress in Enugu is in open conflict with the state electoral commission and with one of its own members, and both disputes could keep the party off the ballot in the upcoming local government elections.
At an emergency meeting on Saturday, August 8, 2026, the Enugu State Executive Committee of the NDC announced two major decisions. First, it expelled Mr. SKC Ogbonnia for what it called anti-party activities and gross misconduct. Second, it warned the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC, that the party may boycott the council poll if its election materials are not released immediately.
According to a statement signed by State Secretary Hon. Nebo Chukwujekwu Emmanuel, ENSIEC has refused to hand over official local government election materials to the NDC’s authorized representatives. The party described that as a deliberate block on its constitutional right to contest.
“The refusal amounts to political discrimination, abuse of administrative powers, and a direct assault on democracy and the rule of law,” the statement said. The NDC insisted that no electoral body has the power to deny a registered party access to materials or create obstacles that effectively exclude it.
The party said joining the election without those materials would mean endorsing a process that “lacks fairness, transparency and credibility.” It gave ENSIEC an ultimatum: release the materials and guarantee equal participation, or the NDC will withdraw.
Inside the party, the committee also finalized the expulsion of Ogbonnia. He had been on indefinite suspension since May 18, 2026, after the Ward 9 Executive in Amoli/Ogugu/Owelli/Ugbo, Awgu LGA, accused him of sabotage, disloyalty and conduct prejudicial to the party.
Despite the suspension, the NDC alleged that Ogbonnia went ahead to buy the party’s expression of interest form for the council election. Leaders called that a deliberate act of defiance and said a suspended member had no standing to seek nomination.
Following a review of the ward’s recommendations, the state executive expelled him and has sent the decision to the National Executive Committee for ratification, as required by the party constitution.
The NDC urged its national leadership to take “all necessary legal and political steps” to protect the party’s rights and secure its place on the ballot. It also called on members in Enugu to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting NEC’s final decision.
“The issue transcends personalities,” the statement concluded. “It is about defending democratic principles and the constitutional rights of every registered political party in Nigeria.”
