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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Enugu State chapter, has threatened to boycott the forthcoming Enugu State Local Government elections over the alleged withholding of its electoral materials by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC).
The party in a statement signed by its secretary, Chukwujekwu Nebo, yesterday, also announced the expulsion of SKC Ogbonnia, who it said had remained under indefinite suspension since May 18, 2026.
According to the statement, the decisions were taken at an emergency meeting of the party’s State Executive Committee, where members condemned what they described as the unlawful withholding of the NDC’s election materials from its duly authorised representatives.
The party warned that it may withdraw from the council elections if the alleged denial is not immediately reversed.
The NDC accused ENSIEC of taking actions capable of frustrating its participation in the electoral process, describing the alleged withholding of its materials as “a direct assault on democracy, the rule of law, and the principles of fair political participation.”
The party 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 further warned that any attempt to prevent the NDC from participating in the election through the withholding of its materials would amount to “political discrimination, abuse of administrative powers, and a violation of the Party’s constitutional rights.”
On Ogbonnia’s expulsion, the party said he was suspended indefinitely by the Ward Executive Committee of Ward 9 (Amoli/Ogugu/Owelli/Ugbo), Awgu Local Government Area, following allegations of anti-party activities, gross misconduct, sabotage, disloyalty and conduct prejudicial to the interests of the party.
According to the NDC, despite the suspension, which it said had neither been lifted nor set aside, Ogbonnia obtained and paid for the party’s Expression of Interest Form for the forthcoming Local Government elections.
The State Executive Committee described the action as defiance of the party’s disciplinary processes, arguing that a suspended member lacked the moral and constitutional standing to participate in its nomination process.
Following a review of the ward’s disciplinary proceedings and recommendations, the State Executive Committee resolved to expel Ogbonnia from the party.
The committee said his continued actions despite the suspension allegedly brought the party into disrepute and undermined its constitutional structures.
It added that the expulsion had been forwarded to the National Executive Committee (NEC) for formal ratification.
The NDC reiterated that it remained committed to democratic participation but would consider withdrawing from the Enugu LG elections unless its alleged denial of electoral materials was addressed immediately.
