…seeks restoration of constitutional order

 

The lingering leadership crisis rocking the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken a dramatic turn, as more than 80 aspirants of the party under the umbrella of the Enugu G80 formally declared their total support for the State Working Committee led by the Chairman, Dr. Johnpaul Anih.

The endorsement followed an extraordinary virtual meeting of the coalition, where members unanimously resolved to recognise the Anih-led executive as the authentic leadership of the party in Enugu State.

The G80, described as a coalition of over 80 aspirants drawn from different political blocs within the party, said its decision was reached after a careful review of the circumstances surrounding the leadership dispute and extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders.

According to the communique adopted at the meeting, the coalition concluded that the executive led by Anih remains the only leadership produced through a valid state congress conducted on May 4, 2026, in compliance with the party’s constitution and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The group maintained that the legitimacy of that congress cannot be displaced by any parallel arrangement or externally imposed structure.

The forum further announced the unconditional endorsement of the Anih-led executive, describing the decision as one driven by justice, equity, constitutional order and respect for internal democracy.

As part of the resolutions, members agreed to dissolve their individual political structures into the Anih-led leadership in order to build a united and formidable platform capable of strengthening the party across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State.

The aspirants also pledged financial, moral and political support to the State Executive in its ongoing efforts to consolidate the party and defend what they described as the democratic mandate freely given by party members during the state congress.

A Senatorial aspirant, Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, who briefed members on the outcome of recent engagements with Anih and other stakeholders, urged party faithful to remain united in the interest of the party and the advancement of democratic values.

The coalition disclosed that it would immediately forward an official letter to the National Leader of the party, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, formally communicating its endorsement while urging the national leadership to respect the outcome of the validly conducted congress and restore constitutional order within the Enugu State chapter.

In the letter signed by the group’s coordinator, Ogbonnia, and Chief Charles Solomon Ako, NDC House of Reps aspirant for Igboetiti/Uzouwani federal constituency, the G80 appealed to the national leadership to reaffirm the Anih-led State Working Committee as the legitimate leadership of the party in Enugu State, reject attempts to create or sustain parallel executive structures and ensure that all party organs recognize the executive produced through the congress.

The coalition also called for the harmonisation of candidates produced by the two factions in line with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution, insisting that any harmonisation process must be anchored on the executive that emerged from the validly conducted congress.

They cautioned individuals and groups against actions capable of undermining the unity and stability of the party in Enugu State.

The coalition declared that it would resist every attempt to impose parallel leadership structures, insisting that only executives produced through constitutional processes possess the legal and moral authority to administer the affairs of the party.

The group further maintained that respect for internal democracy remains indispensable to the survival of the NDC, arguing that allowing unelected structures to supersede validly elected executives would erode members’ confidence and weaken the party ahead of future elections.

The latest endorsement adds to growing support for the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Executive, coming barely weeks after party stakeholders, State Working Committee members and local government chairmen unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the leadership, citing its grassroots mobilisation efforts and commitment to strengthening the party in Enugu State.