NDC crisis: ‘Hold NWC members responsible’ – Enugu scribe, Okafor tells aggrieved aspirants

Enugu State Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Dr Sebastine Okafor has blamed the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, for the endless crisis in the state chapter of the party. 

DAILY POST reports that the Enugu NDC has not known peace since May 4, 2026 after its state congress was conducted. 

Although Dr Johnpaul Ani and others emerged as members of the State Working Committee, there have been alleged attempts by some NWC members to derecognize them. 

The crisis worsened during the primary election, with the exercise ending in confusion, especially within another faction of the party. 

A few days ago, about 80 members of the party, who participated in the primary election under the rival faction, blamed the crisis on certain leaders, including Chief Dr Mathias Omeh.

The aspirants, led by Sir SKC Ogbonnia, mentioned Omeh as one of those contributing to the crisis within the party.

However, the Party Secretary, in a statement he issued on Monday, urged the aggrieved aspirants not to blame Omeh. 

Instead, he said members of the NWC should be held responsible. 

He described the inclusion of Omeh’s name in the publication as unfair, misleading, and an attempt to shift responsibility from those directly connected with the issues confronting the party.

According to him, the matters being complained about were decisions and actions taken by members of the National Working Committee of the party, and not Omeh, who according to him had consistently advocated dialogue, reconciliation, and unity among party stakeholders.

He stated that Omeh remained one of the respected leaders of the NDC whose contributions to political development and capacity building had earned him the admiration of many party faithful across Enugu State.

Okafor noted that while every party member had the constitutional right to seek redress over perceived injustices, such complaints should be pursued through established internal dispute resolution mechanisms or the courts, rather than through media attacks capable of damaging the reputation of innocent party leaders.

He urged members to avoid dragging respected leaders into disputes in which they played no role and instead channel their energies toward strengthening the party ahead of future political engagements.

“Politics should be guided by facts, responsibility, and respect for due process. We must not allow emotions or disappointment to push us into making allegations that cannot be substantiated,” Okafor further stated.

He maintained that the leadership of the Enugu State chapter led by Anih remained committed to peace, internal democracy, and reconciliation among members.

The party scribe called on all aspirants, candidates and stakeholders to refrain from cyber bullying, personal attacks, and publications capable of creating unnecessary divisions within the party.

“The NDC belongs to all of us. Differences are inevitable in every political organisation, but they must be managed with maturity, discipline, and respect for constituted authority. 

“Our focus should be on building a stronger party rather than engaging in campaigns of character assassination,” he stated.

He also reiterated his total support for the state leadership of the party, led by Dr Johnpaul Anih, and said they were ready to take their legal battle over the party’s leadership in Enugu State to the apex court to seek justice and stop imposition.