The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) stands as a beacon of integrity, good governance, and zero tolerance for deceit or the shortchanging of constituents. Our party remains unwavering in its commitment to uphold democratic values and ensure that the will of the people is respected at all times.
For the records, our great party, the NDC, as a law-abiding organization operating strictly in conformity with INEC guidelines, conducted party primaries across the nation on Friday, May 29, 2026. These primaries were designed to provide a transparent platform for aspirants to contest fairly for positions, including the House of Assembly (HoA).
However, during the HoA primaries, beginning with one Mr. John Echefu (popularly known as Mayor), glaring irregularities were observed. These included recycling of voters, fictitious party ID cards where photographs did not match names (women’s pictures carrying men’s names and vice versa), and the importation of mercenaries (ECOMOG) from Ikorodu, Kirikiri, and other areas. These manipulations were noted under the watchful eyes of INEC officers and intelligence personnel serving as observers. In order to preserve the integrity of the process, the officers in charge exercised their discretion and cancelled the election, thereby vitiating the results.
Similar shenanigans were recorded during the House of Representatives (HoR) primaries. Out of desperation to stop Hon. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi from completing the good work he has started, contestants resorted to vote buying and fraudulent practices. One Philip Ikechukwu Onwuka, another aspirant and financier of Mr. John Echefu, brazenly engaged in vote buying to subvert the will of the people. The scale of malpractice was so evident that officers escalated reports to the national leadership, exposing the deliberate attempt to undermine democracy and disenfranchise the people of Oshodi.
Last week Friday, the national leadership of NDC, under the supremacy of the party and in their wisdom, jettisoned the votes obtained by fraud and handed the party flag to the sitting HoR member, Hon. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi. This decision reflects the party’s resolve to protect integrity and reward loyalty, ensuring that the mandate of the people is not stolen through deceit.
The NDC reiterates that it will never tolerate such practices. Our commitment is to ensure that every election conducted under our platform reflects the values of fairness, transparency, and accountability. We owe this to our constituents, and we will continue to safeguard their trust by resisting any attempt to compromise the democratic process.
In an organized clime, perpetrators of such electoral fraud should be answering to the authorities for abuse of a process capable of undermining democratic norms. Yet, emboldened by impunity, they walk freely, laying unnecessary claims and making uncomplimentary comments without shame. But let it be known: their antics cannot overshadow the truth, nor derail the vision of NDC.
The Nigerian Democratic Congress stands resolute. We will continue to defend democracy, protect the people’s mandate, and ensure that Oshodi—and indeed Nigeria—remain on the path of integrity and progress.
Mazi (Dr.) Chuks Nwosu SA, Media and Communication to Hon. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi MHR, Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 2, Lagos
