Ehiozuwa Agbonayinwa Regrets Leaving APC for NDC, Alleges Ticket Denial

|By Adejumo Adekunle – A senatorial aspirant in Edo South, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinwa, says he regrets leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), describing the move as a journey from the “frying pan to hell fire.”

Speaking on Arise News on Friday, Agbonayinwa claimed he emerged as the winner of the NDC senatorial primary election but is now being denied the opportunity to appear on the ballot.

The former member of the House of Representatives said the party conducted a direct primary after efforts to reach a consensus among aspirants failed.

According to him, party officials encouraged contestants to step down for one another before eventually proceeding with the primary election.

Agbonayinwa argued that the process that followed was unlike anything he experienced during his time in either the APC or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He expressed frustration over what he described as uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the primary, noting that the election was held on May 29 but that the party had yet to make a clear announcement regarding candidates.

The former governorship aspirant also accused the NDC’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, of backing his senatorial ambition before later denying any involvement.

Agbonayinwa said he consulted Dickson before joining the party and claimed the senator encouraged him to contest for the Senate under the NDC platform instead of seeking a House of Representatives seat.

However, he said he was surprised when Dickson allegedly denied making such a suggestion during a recent meeting.

The Edo South aspirant maintained that he followed the party’s procedures and believes he fairly secured the nomination. He called attention to what he sees as inconsistencies in the handling of the primary process.

The NDC leadership has not publicly responded to the allegations.