A coalition of 80 aspirants under the Enugu G80 has endorsed Dr. John Paul Anih and his executive as the legitimate leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State, while calling on the party’s national leadership to resolve the ongoing leadership crisis in the state.
The group made the demand in a statement dated August 4, 2026, addressed to the National Leader of the NDC, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.
The coalition, comprising aspirants drawn from the two factions of the party in Enugu State, said it remained committed to the NDC and its leadership, as well as the presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The G80 said the crisis in the Enugu chapter was the result of attempts by some party members and political interests to impose leadership structures on the party without the backing of its grassroots members.
According to the group, a State Congress was conducted in Enugu on May 4, 2026, where Anih emerged as chairman alongside members of the State Working Committee.
“On May 4, 2026, a valid, constitutionally compliant State Congress was conducted in Enugu State. This exercise was fully transparent, adhered strictly to party guidelines, and was monitored directly by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” the statement said.
The coalition alleged that instead of accepting the outcome of the congress, some party leaders had attempted to establish parallel structures and install individuals who, according to them, lacked a democratic mandate.
“Instead of rallying behind this lawful leadership, certain party elites, driven by personal ambitions, sought to bypass this internal democracy,” the group alleged.
The G80 said the development had created tension within the Enugu chapter and could undermine the party’s preparations for forthcoming elections.
The coalition subsequently declared its “formal and unconditional” endorsement of the Anih-led executive, saying its members would integrate their respective state structures into his leadership.
The group also rejected what it described as “parallel or imposed executive committees” and called on its supporters to back the Anih-led structure.
The statement further claimed that the Anih-led executive was the “sole constitutionally recognised leadership” of the NDC in Enugu State and warned individuals allegedly presenting themselves as alternative party officials that they could face legal consequences.
The coalition urged Senator Dickson and the national leadership of the party to reaffirm Anih and his State Working Committee as the legitimate leadership of the Enugu chapter.
It also called for an immediate halt to the establishment of parallel structures, urging all party organs to deal exclusively with the Anih-led executive.
The group further appealed to the national leadership to harmonise the primary election results produced by the two factions and adopt a candidate list emerging from what it described as the faction produced through a valid congress conducted in accordance with electoral law.
The G80 said resolving the dispute was necessary to preserve the party’s cohesion and electoral prospects in Enugu State.
In an accompanying essay on electoral integrity, the coalition argued that political party leadership must respect the outcome of validly conducted congresses rather than impose candidates or executives through executive influence.
The group cited the Supreme Court’s decision in Amaechi v. INEC (2008), arguing that the judgment demonstrated the importance of political parties respecting their own rules and the outcomes of valid internal processes.
It maintained that “internal party democracy is a vital sub-component of national sovereignty” and warned against allowing political elites to override grassroots decisions.
The statement was signed by SKC Ogbonnia, Ph.D., the group’s coordinator and Senate aspirant for Enugu West, and Hon. High Chief Charles Solomon Ako, the group secretary and House of Representatives aspirant for Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency.
