RismadarVoice Reporters, June 5, 2026
An Edo South senatorial aspirant on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ehiozuwa Agbonayinwa, has expressed regret over leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming his experience in the new party has been far more frustrating than anticipated.
Speaking during an appearance on Friday, the former member of the House of Representatives alleged that despite emerging victorious in the party’s senatorial primary election, he is now being denied the opportunity to contest the election.
Agbonayinwa described his switch from the APC to the NDC as a move “from the frying pan to hellfire,” citing what he called irregularities in the party’s handling of its primary process.
According to him, aspirants initially attempted to reach a consensus candidate but eventually proceeded to a direct primary after negotiations failed.
“We went through the primary process after efforts to reach a consensus proved unsuccessful. Despite participating in the exercise, the outcome has remained unclear days later,” he said.
The former governorship aspirant noted that although the primary election was conducted on May 29, party members are yet to receive clarity regarding the outcome and candidate list.
Agbonayinwa also accused the NDC’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, of backing his senatorial ambition before later distancing himself from the process.
He claimed that Dickson had encouraged him to contest for the Senate and personally advised him to obtain the nomination forms.
According to Agbonayinwa, he initially planned to seek election into the House of Representatives but reconsidered after discussions with the former Bayelsa State governor.
“I consulted my political leaders after the suggestion was made and eventually decided to pursue the Senate seat. However, I was surprised when the same person who encouraged me to buy the form later denied ever making such a recommendation,” he stated.
