The crisis in the Ebonyi State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) worsened on Monday following the resignation of key party officials, including Deputy Chairman Comrade Okey Idenyi, Secretary Barr. Chinedu Adum, Welfare Officer, Mr Cyril Ajah, Youth Leader, Anthony Nwofe, and others.

They cited corruption, financial fraud, lack of equity and justice, and controversies surrounding the party’s recently concluded primaries as reasons for their departure.

Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the former officials said the mass resignation signals the collapse of the party’s structure in the state, insisting that the NDC would not win a single House of Assembly seat in the forthcoming general elections.

The former Deputy Chairman, Comrade Okey Idenyi, lamented that the structure they helped build in Ebonyi State before the emergence of Peter Obi in the political space had been hijacked by what he described as corrupt elements who entered the party through the “back door.”

He expressed disappointment over what he described as irregularities during the party’s primaries, accusing the leadership of abandoning an earlier agreement on consensus candidates and instead allowing full contests that, according to him, ended in confusion and disorganisation.

He further alleged that shortly after the party’s congresses and national convention, politicians from other parties infiltrated the structure and took over leadership positions, adding that founding members were sidelined.

Idenyi also alleged financial misconduct, claiming that aspirants were asked to pay various sums for nomination: ₦100,000 for House of Assembly, ₦300,000 for House of Representatives, ₦500,000 for Senate, and ₦750,000 for governorship aspirants.

He alleged that the funds were mismanaged and that the process was later abandoned in favour of contested primaries.
“We were told there would be consensus, but later all aspirants were asked to go for primaries. What we witnessed was a shambles and a disgrace,” he said.

He also criticised the state party leadership, alleging absence and lack of coordination during the primaries.
In his remarks, Barr. Chinedu Adum said he could no longer remain in a party that, according to him, denied founding members the opportunity to contest elective positions as provided by law.

He accused the National Working Committee (NWC) of failing to intervene despite repeated complaints about alleged hijacking of the party structure in the state.

Adum further alleged that aspirants were made to purchase nomination forms for over ₦3 million and were later asked to pay additional sums running into millions before screening, describing the process as exploitative.

He also alleged that many aspirants who made payments were later disqualified for lacking political backing, describing the process as fraudulent and unfair.

He further accused former Governor Dr. Sam Egwu of exerting undue influence over the party, claiming that its operations were being run as a personal structure.

Also speaking, Youth Leader Anthony Nwofe described the party primaries as chaotic and undemocratic, alleging that petitions filed by the state chapter were ignored by the national leadership.

He said the conduct of the primaries fell below expectations and did not reflect the ideals of internal democracy the party claimed to represent.

“I am no longer interested in the party. I have resigned, and I am making it public,” he said.

Similarly, Welfare Officer Mr. Cyril Ajah announced his resignation and said he had withdrawn his support for the party and its presidential candidate.

He stated that developments within the party no longer aligned with his principles, adding that he could no longer participate in its activities.