NDC primary was ‘satanic’, worse than APC— Agbonayima, senatorial  aspirant

 

 

A former Code of Conduct Bureau Commissioner and ex-member of the House of Representatives, Ehiozuwa Agbonayima, has launched a blistering attack on the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), describing its senatorial primary in Edo State as “shabby, undemocratic and satanic.” Agbonayima, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress to the NDC, accused influential figures within the party of subverting internal democracy, manipulating candidates and betraying agreements reached before the contest. He spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme. David Lawani monitored the interview

 

 

You left the APC in anger, and now you appear even more frustrated with the NDC. You claimed you were rigged out of the primaries. What exactly happened?

 

Democracy is supposed to be government of the people, by the people and for the people. You know my political history, my antecedents and my commitment to national development. I have always believed Nigeria can become a better country if citizens unite beyond politics, ethnicity and religion. I returned from the United States years ago and entered active politics through the AC, later the ACN and eventually the APC. I later moved to the PDP before returning to APC again. Frankly, I thought the APC was bad until I joined the NDC. Moving from APC to NDC felt like moving from the frying pan into hellfire. What I have witnessed over the past few months in the NDC has left me deeply disappointed. Initially, I considered joining the PDP because of one of our founding leaders in Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih. We held several meetings, but I was not convinced. I then moved toward the ADC, especially as discussions involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso were ongoing. We also spoke with leaders of other political movements, including the Democratic Leadership Alliance. At a point, I contacted my friend and colleague, former Bayelsa State governor and senator, Seriake Dickson. I informed him that I intended to contest for the House of Representatives, but he insisted I should instead run for the Senate. He repeatedly assured me he would support my senatorial ambition.

 

 

Did Senator Seriake Dickson actually make that promise to you?

 

Yes, he did. The discussion took place at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja, in May. I told him I would think about it. He insisted several times that I should contest for the Senate instead of the House of Representatives. I subsequently invited my political associate, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, to Abuja to meet with Dickson regarding the House of Representatives seat. When that did not materialise, I spoke with another associate, Sunny Aguebor, who was also contesting in the ADC. Dickson repeatedly encouraged me to go for the Senate, arguing that I was too experienced for the House of Representatives. I have served Nigeria in several capacities — as a member of the House of Representatives, as a Director at the Nigerian Railway Corporation, and as a Commissioner at the Code of Conduct Bureau. I also suffered political persecution. There was even a time I was considered for the position of Acting Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, but some political interests allegedly worked against me.

 

 

Are you alleging that Senator Adams Oshiomhole blocked your appointment? Do you have evidence?

 

I was informed by credible individuals close to government at the time that certain moves were made to prevent my emergence as Acting Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau. One former Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Agency confronted me and said the same people I defended publicly were privately lobbying against me. Another senior figure close to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation also told me that Oshiomhole allegedly opposed my appointment because he feared I would aggressively investigate corruption cases. That period was painful for me because I had served him loyally while he was governor.

 

 

Was that experience part of the reason you left the APC?

 

It contributed to my frustration, but there were other painful experiences too. At one point during my governorship ambition in Edo State, I received the devastating news that my son had been shot dead in Houston, Texas. He was only 23 years old and was about a month away from completing his PhD. The university had already employed him to teach sophomore students. It was one of the darkest periods of my life. The police in Houston asked whether I suspected political motives behind my gubernatorial ambition, but I told them I did not believe that was the case.

 

 

Are you upset because you lost the NDC senatorial ticket?

 

I did not lose the election. That is my position.

 

 

Are you saying you were rigged out?

 

What happened was an aberration. It was undemocratic, unlawful and completely satanic. If the NDC truly wants to stand for justice and integrity, it must retrace its steps. It was Senator Dickson himself who persuaded me to contest for Senate. Samuel Ogbemudia Jr., son of the late Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, was present during some of those discussions. I won the election clearly.

 

 

What figures do you have to support your claim?

 

I won Egor with 529 votes, Ikpoba-Okha with 697 votes and Orhionmwon with 2,709 votes. Although I lost in some other local governments, the overall calculation still showed that I won the primary.

 

 

Who were the other aspirants in the race?

 

There were about four aspirants altogether. My disappointment is that Senator Dickson later denied encouraging me to contest. I obtained the nomination form through directives that he allegedly issued to party officials. Yet he later denied any involvement.

 

 

So are you saying Senator Dickson disappointed you?

 

Completely.

 

 

Did he personally take the ticket from you?

 

What happened was that I was informed there were plans to support another aspirant, a female candidate. At a meeting, we were told there would be an “affirmation” process because the party wanted a woman candidate. I immediately objected because the Electoral Act recognises only direct primaries or consensus arrangements backed by written consent from all aspirants. There is nothing in the law called “affirmation.” You cannot impose a candidate who did not win.

 

 

So Senator Dickson initially encouraged your ambition and later backed another candidate. Is that your allegation?

 

Yes, that is exactly what happened.

 

 

 

Were there witnesses to these discussions?

 

Yes. Some individuals present at those meetings can confirm what transpired.

 

 

Are you accusing the NDC leadership of imposing candidates and violating the Electoral Act?

 

Absolutely.

 

 

What steps are you planning to take now?

 

I will consult with my political leaders and supporters. I am not acting alone. Several aspirants who genuinely won their primaries have also been denied victory. There is widespread anger in Edo State over the way the primaries were conducted.

 

 

Are you saying the protests in Edo are connected to the NDC primaries?

 

Yes. People are unhappy not only because of my case but also because of what happened across several states.

 

 

Was Aisha Yesufu also treated unfairly by the party?

 

Yes. Nigerians saw her reaction at the party secretariat. She was popular and qualified, yet she was allegedly side-lined. That is why many of us are disappointed. We criticised APC and PDP for years, but how can a party that claims to represent change behave in the same manner? The Electoral Act is very clear. If consensus fails because aspirants refuse to withdraw voluntarily, the party must conduct direct primaries. There is no provision anywhere for “affirmation.” We resisted attempts to impose such a process in Benin.

 

 

Has the winner of your senatorial district primary officially been announced?

 

That is part of the problem. The primary was conducted on May 29, and as of today, June 5, no result has been officially announced. So what exactly is delaying the process?

 

 

Who should be responsible for announcing the result?

 

The national leadership should do so because it effectively controls the entire process. I am not afraid of intimidation or threats. People have called me with threats, but I am not afraid. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and the country must be rescued. Whether I become senator or not is secondary. I have already served this nation in different capacities — as a legislator, a board member of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, and a Commissioner at the Code of Conduct Bureau. Corruption has deeply damaged this country, and we must stand for justice.

 

 

Earlier, you said you believed APC was bad. Are you now saying the NDC is worse at conducting primaries?

 

Yes. Administratively, APC at least managed its processes better in some respects. The PDP collapsed largely because of selfish political interests. Whatever people may think about Nyesom Wike, he played a major role in sustaining the PDP financially and politically at critical moments. What Nigeria needs today is genuine internal democracy and leaders who are willing to put national interest above personal ambition.