A former member of the House of Representatives and senatorial aspirant for Edo South, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinwa, has expressed disappointment over his experience in the Nigeria Democratic Congress, describing his defection from the All Progressives Congress as a move “from the frying pan into hell fire.”
Agbonayinwa, who recently sought the party’s senatorial ticket, alleged that despite emerging victorious in the primary election, he was being prevented from appearing on the ballot.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Friday, the former lawmaker accused the party leadership of failing to conclude its nomination process several days after the primary election was conducted.
According to him, the situation within the NDC was unlike anything he had witnessed during his time in either the APC or the Peoples Democratic Party.
He said party officials initially attempted to persuade aspirants to step down for one another before eventually proceeding with a direct primary when consensus could not be reached.
“We went through all the required processes and participated in the primary. The election was held on May 29, yet as of today, the candidates have still not been officially announced,” he said.
Agbonayinwa further alleged that the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, who he described as a long-time friend and political associate, had encouraged him to contest for the Senate under the NDC.
The former governorship aspirant claimed that before joining the party, he consulted Dickson, who allegedly suggested that he pursue a senatorial seat instead of returning to the House of Representatives.
He said he subsequently discussed the proposal with his political associates and decided to obtain the nomination forms.
However, Agbonayinwa expressed shock that the same party leader later distanced himself from the alleged conversation.
“The person who encouraged me to buy the form has now denied ever asking me to do so,” he said.
The aggrieved aspirant maintained that the ongoing dispute over the party’s ticket had left him frustrated and questioning his decision to leave the APC for the NDC.