NDC Edo Chieftain Alleges Anti-Party Activities, Raises Alarm Over Alleged APC Infiltration

A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Edo State, Comrade Barrister Okhilua Osadebamen Spartacus, has accused some members of the party of engaging in alleged anti-party activities and claimed that elements within the party leadership are working against the NDC's electoral interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement titled "Saint Moses Eromosele (One Esan, Two Mandates!): Exposing the Fifth Columnist Within the NDC Edo State," Spartacus, who identified himself as the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the NDC in Oredo Local Government Area, said his attention was drawn to a campaign poster circulating on NDC Blue Space, a social media platform.

According to him, the poster, allegedly shared by an individual identified as Onose Igheagbon, popularly known on WhatsApp as "Her Royal Majesty," promoted the candidacy of Saint Moses Eromosele, the NDC House of Assembly candidate for Esan Central, while also encouraging voters to support Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The campaign message, titled "One Esan, Two Mandates!", argued that voting for Eromosele on the NDC platform would not threaten Governor Okpebholo's administration but would instead provide Esan Central with effective representation while supporting the governor's agenda.

Spartacus, however, described the message as an act of "double loyalty," arguing that it was inappropriate for a candidate seeking election on the platform of an opposition party to openly campaign in support of a governor elected on the platform of the ruling APC.

He alleged that the campaign poster lends credence to long-standing claims that some APC members have been strategically sponsored to obtain NDC tickets for the 2027 elections with the intention of returning to the ruling party after securing electoral victories.

According to him, such an arrangement, if true, would amount to sabotage and undermine the chances of the NDC in the forthcoming general elections.

The party chieftain further alleged that there has been a pattern of imposing candidates across the party instead of conducting transparent primary elections, a development he said has weakened internal democracy and reduced the confidence of party members in the leadership.

Spartacus also alleged that the NDC leadership, led by Senator Seriake Dickson, had sidelined some organs of the party and was pursuing political interests inconsistent with the party's objectives. He claimed these alleged actions were fueling concerns among members over the party's direction ahead of the elections.

He further warned that if the alleged anti-party activities were not addressed before the elections, they could extend to the electoral process itself, including the collation of results, although he did not provide evidence to support the allegation.

The statement also referenced provisions of the 2026 NDC Constitution, which require members to remain loyal to the party, promote its objectives, refrain from aligning with rival political parties, and avoid acts capable of undermining the party or its elected officials.

Spartacus argued that the activities he alleged were inconsistent with those constitutional provisions and called on the NDC leadership at both the state and national levels to investigate the circumstances surrounding the emergence of some candidates, particularly in Esan Central.

He also alleged that similar situations were unfolding in Oredo and Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency, urging party members to demand greater transparency and accountability from the leadership.

While reiterating his support for NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, Spartacus urged supporters to vote based on the competence, credibility, and capacity of candidates rather than adopting a blanket voting pattern for any political party. He maintained that credible candidates, irrespective of party affiliation, deserve the support of the electorate.

He concluded by urging the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership to address the concerns raised by members rather than dismissing calls for accountability, insisting that demands for transparency should not be interpreted as acts of disloyalty.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Saint Moses Eromosele nor the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) had publicly responded to the allegations contained in Spartacus' statement.