Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, June 5, 2026, Edo South Senatorial aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, has raised concerns over the conduct of the party’s leadership during the Edo South Senatorial primary process.
According to the former lawmaker, Dr. Osa, a party official, had contacted the NDC National Secretary after receiving instructions that Agbonayinma should be issued a nomination form to contest for the senatorial ticket.
“Dr. Osa was the one that placed a call to the national secretary when the national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, told him, instructed him, issue EJ nomination form, let him pay,” Agbonayinma alleged. He, however, claimed that the position later changed. “But today, he said he’s not aware he’s never did that,” he said.
Agbonayinma further alleged that another aspirant was present during discussions involving the party leadership and referenced an individual identified as Bibi. “And my co-contestant was there. My co-contestant was there. He said, who is Bibi? He doesn’t know Bibi,” he stated.
According to him, the individual subsequently challenged that assertion. “But when Bibi came into the room, Bibi told him, said, sir, I’ve been here four times,” Agbonayinma claimed.
The senatorial aspirant said he was surprised by developments that followed, including what he described as plans for an affirmation process.
“I was embarrassed. He said, oh, there’s going to be an affirmation. Affirmation is not in the constitution of the electoral act. This is the electoral act. It’s either by consensus or direct primaries. There’s nothing as such as affirmation,” he said.
Agbonayinma maintained that he objected to the proposal, arguing that political parties must adhere strictly to established rules and procedures. “I said, sir, with all due respect, there’s nothing as such. I’m also a lawmaker, not a lawbreaker. If we have to move forward, if we have to change Nigeria, we must have rights,” he stated.
The former House of Representatives member also questioned what he described as contradictions regarding his nomination and participation in the race.
“You said you don’t know Bibi. Bibi is confirming that he has met you four times. You said you didn’t tell me to go and pick up the nomination form. When the national public secretary was there, who placed the call? You said you didn’t ask me to contest. That is an aberration,” he said.
Agbonayinma expressed disappointment over the developments, warning that such experiences could undermine confidence in political reform efforts.
“How did that get here? If we have to continue like this, I am weeping and regretting. Because Nigeria deserves the best. If this is how NDC are thinking, how are we going to change Nigeria? How are we going to change that APC is worse or PDP is worse?” he asked.
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