Enugu council polls: NDC threatens boycott over election materials

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Enugu State chapter, has threatened to boycott the upcoming local government elections, accusing the State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) of sabotaging the process.

It accused ENSIEC of refusing to release electoral materials to the party, describing the action as a direct assault on democracy and the rule of law. It warned that it might boycott the process unless the alleged denial was addressed.

A statement by the state party secretary, Nebo Chukwujekwu Emmanuel, said the decision was reached at an emergency meeting of the Enugu State Executive Committee (SEC), where party leaders unanimously condemned the alleged withholding of the party’s electoral materials, describing it as a deliberate action capable of frustrating the party from participating in the forthcoming council elections. “This action constitutes a deliberate denial of our constitutional and electoral rights and amounts to a direct assault on democracy, the rule of law and the principles of fair political participation,” the party stated.

The SEC argued that no electoral management body has the constitutional authority to deny a registered political party access to its election materials or create obstacles capable of excluding it from an electoral process.

It warned that any attempt to deny the NDC the opportunity to participate in the elections through the withholding of its electoral materials amounted to political discrimination, abuse of administrative powers and a violation of the party’s constitutional rights.

The party further declared that unless ENSIEC immediately releases the local government election materials due to the NDC 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 stressed that participating in an election after being denied the materials necessary to contest would amount to endorsing an electoral process that lacks fairness, transparency and credibility.

The NDC called on its members across the state to remain calm, united and law-abiding while awaiting the formal ratification of Mr Ogbonnia’s expulsion by the National Executive Committee (NEC). The party reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional order, internal democracy, the rule of law and the protection of its lawful structures.

It insisted that 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 party also expelled Mr SKC Ogbonnia, saying he had been under an indefinite suspension since May 18, following disciplinary proceedings conducted by the Ward Executive Committee of Ward 9 (Amoli/Ogugu/Owelli/Ugbo), Awgu Local Government Area.

According to the party, the suspension arose from allegations of anti-party activities, gross misconduct, acts of sabotage, disloyalty and conduct considered prejudicial to the interests and integrity of the party.

It further stated that, despite his indefinite suspension, which remained valid and had neither been lifted nor set aside, Mr Ogbonnia proceeded to obtain and pay for the party’s Expression of Interest Form for the senatorial election.

According to the statement, the SEC described Ogbonnia’s 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 Committee further stated that his conduct appeared to have been premeditated and alleged that subsequent events surrounding his activities had reinforced concerns that he might have been acting in furtherance of interests contrary to those of the party.

Part of the statement read: “Following a review of the Ward’s disciplinary proceedings and recommendations, the SEC resolved, in line with the decision of the Ward Executive Committee of Ward 9, to expel Mr. SKC Ogbonnia from the party. The expulsion became necessary following his continued actions despite his indefinite suspension, which allegedly brought the party to disrepute and undermined its constitutional structures.

“In accordance with the party’s Constitution, the expulsion decision has been forwarded to the National Executive Committee (NEC) for formal ratification.”