NDC THREATENS TO BOYCOTT ENUGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION OVER ALLEGED DENIAL OF ELECTORAL MATERIALS, EXPELS SKC OGBONNIA

...Says ENSIEC's Refusal to Release Electoral Materials to the Party Is a Direct Assault on Democracy and the Rule of Law

The Enugu State Executive Committee of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced the expulsion of Mr. SKC Ogbonnia from the Party, while accusing the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) of denying the Party access to its official Local Government Election materials. The Party warned that unless the alleged denial is immediately reversed, it may be compelled to boycott the forthcoming Enugu State Local Government Elections.

The resolutions were reached at an emergency meeting of the Enugu State Executive Committee, where members unanimously condemned what they described as the unlawful withholding of the Party's electoral materials and deliberate actions capable of frustrating the participation of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in the forthcoming Local Government Elections.

The Executive Committee reaffirmed that Mr. SKC Ogbonnia had remained under an indefinite suspension since May 18, 2026, following disciplinary proceedings conducted by the Ward Executive Committee of Ward 9 (Amoli/Ogugu/Owelli/Ugbo), Awgu Local Government Area.

According to the Committee, the disciplinary action was based on allegations of anti-party activities, gross misconduct, acts of sabotage, disloyalty, and conduct considered prejudicial to the interests, unity, and integrity of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

The Committee further noted that despite the subsisting suspension—which had neither been lifted nor set aside—Mr. Ogbonnia proceeded to obtain and pay for the Party's Expression of Interest Form for the forthcoming Local Government Elections. The Executive Committee described the action as a deliberate violation of the Party's disciplinary processes, maintaining that a suspended member lacks the constitutional and moral standing to participate in the Party's nomination process.

The Committee further stated that subsequent developments surrounding Mr. Ogbonnia's activities reinforced concerns that he had continued to act in a manner inconsistent with the Party's interests and constitutional provisions.

After reviewing the recommendations of the Ward Executive Committee, the Enugu State Executive Committee resolved, in line with the decision of Ward 9, to expel Mr. SKC Ogbonnia from the Nigeria Democratic Congress. The Committee explained that the expulsion became necessary due to his continued actions despite his indefinite suspension, which it said had brought the Party into disrepute and undermined its constitutional structures. In accordance with the Party's Constitution, the expulsion has been forwarded to the National Executive Committee (NEC) for formal ratification.

The Executive Committee also alleged that ENSIEC refused to release the official Local Government Election materials belonging to the Nigeria Democratic Congress to the Party's duly authorized representatives, thereby effectively preventing the Party from fully participating in the electoral process.

The Committee described the alleged refusal as a direct violation of the constitutional rights of the Party, insisting that no electoral management body possesses the legal authority to deny a registered political party access to materials required for participation in an election.

According to the Committee, the alleged withholding of the Party's electoral materials amounts to political discrimination, abuse of administrative authority, and a direct assault on democracy, the rule of law, and the principles of fair political participation.

The Executive Committee therefore called on ENSIEC to immediately release all electoral materials belonging to the Nigeria Democratic Congress and guarantee the Party equal and unhindered participation in the forthcoming Local Government Elections.

The Committee further called on the National Leadership of the Party to take all necessary constitutional, legal, and political measures to protect the Party's rights and ensure that its members are not unlawfully excluded from the electoral process.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress warned that should ENSIEC fail to immediately release the Party's electoral materials, it would have no option but to withdraw from participation in the forthcoming Enugu State Local Government Elections.

The Committee maintained that participating in an election after being denied the materials required to contest would amount to legitimising an electoral process that lacks fairness, transparency, credibility, and equal political opportunity.

The Party urged its members and supporters across Enugu State to remain calm, united, peaceful, and law-abiding while awaiting the formal ratification of Mr. Ogbonnia's expulsion by the National Executive Committee.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to constitutional order, internal democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of the rights of every registered political party to participate freely and fairly in Nigeria's democratic process.

The Party concluded by insisting 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.

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Signed:

Hon. Nebo Chukwujekwu Emmanuel

Secretary

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Enugu State