By Hassan Adamu
A senatorial aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Edo South Senatorial District, Mr. Ehiozuwa Agbonayinwa, has expressed regret over his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the NDC, alleging that the opposition party's internal processes have been marred by controversy and lack of transparency.
Agbonayinwa, a former member of the House of Representatives, said his experience in the NDC has been disappointing, describing it as a movement from "frying pan to hell fire."
Speaking during an interview on Arise News' News Day programme on Friday, the former lawmaker claimed that he emerged victorious in the party's senatorial primary election but was being denied the opportunity to appear on the ballot.
According to him, the primary election was conducted on May 29 after efforts by party stakeholders to secure a consensus candidate failed.
He alleged that despite participating in what he described as a rigorous and competitive process, the party had yet to officially announce the outcome of the election several days later.
"I've moved from frying pan to hell fire," Agbonayinwa said. "We had the direct primary after we couldn't reach a consensus. We went through rigorous processes. I understand that they are new, but I have never experienced this either in the APC or the PDP."
The former governorship aspirant further claimed that the national leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, had encouraged him to contest the Senate seat under the party's platform.
Agbonayinwa stated that before joining the NDC, he consulted with Dickson, whom he described as a long-time friend and political associate.
He alleged that during one of their meetings, the former Bayelsa State governor suggested that he pursue a senatorial ambition under the NDC rather than contest for the House of Representatives as he had initially planned.
According to him, he subsequently consulted with his political associates and proceeded to obtain the party's expression of interest and nomination forms.
However, Agbonayinwa expressed surprise that Dickson later denied encouraging him to run for the Senate during a recent meeting.
"The same man who asked me to go and buy the form told me this morning that he never said so," he alleged.
The development is the latest controversy to trail the NDC's primary elections as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
As of the time of filing this report, the NDC leadership had not issued an official response to Agbonayinwa's allegations.
Source: Daily Post Nigeria
