UMUAHIA / ABUJA — A major crisis is brewing within the Abia State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following an open press declaration issued by the “Abia NDC Powerhouse Assembly”.
The grassroots leadership and key stakeholders across the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State have issued a stern warning to the party’s national leadership—specifically National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson and National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas—warning that festering internal divisions threaten to derail the party’s momentum and undermine the presidential mandate of Mr. Peter Obi in the state.
“A Dark Cloud Hovers”: The Core Grievances
In a statement signed by representatives of the Abia NDC Powerhouse Assembly, the group expressed deep dismay over what it termed the “deafening silence and apparent unresponsiveness” of the National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja while the party structure in Abia drifts toward total collapse.
The stakeholders outlined three primary catalysts driving the turmoil across the state chapter:
- Unilateral Candidate Imposition: The arbitrary substitution and insertion of candidate lists without local stakeholder consultation, disenfranchising dedicated grassroots party mobilizers.
- Balkanization of Party Structures: The proliferation of parallel executive lists and uncoordinated, unauthorized party operations across various local government areas.
- Deepening Factional Leadership: Unresolved conflicts between rival camps—notably the leadership tussle involving Dr. Okey Ezeala and Chief Ako Atuloma—which continue to divide the party’s rank-and-file.
Internal Assessment & Threat Matrix
PARTY CHAPTER: Abia State Chapter, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)
NATIONAL LEADERS: Sen. Seriake Dickson (National Leader) & Sen. Moses Cleopas (National Chairman)
INTERNAL COHESION: CRITICAL RISK
FACTIONAL DISPUTE: Dr. Okey Ezeala vs. Chief Ako Atuloma
PRIMARY DRIVERS: Candidate Imposition, Arbitrary Balkanization, Parallel Structures
ELECTORAL THREAT: Severe Risk to HE Peter Obi's Presidential Campaign Base in Abia State
“A Stitch in Time Saves Nine”: Stakeholders Demand Immediate Action
The Assembly warned that attempting to secure a presidential victory in Abia State while allowing the state organ to remain fractured and imposed upon is a “dangerous illusion”.
To avert complete political failure ahead of the general elections, the Abia NDC Powerhouse Assembly outlined three non-negotiable demands for the National Working Committee:
“To fold hands in Abuja while the foundation in Abia crumbles is to prepare the ground for a costly electoral failure. The idea that Abia can be won for the presidential ticket while the state chapter remains fractured and imposed upon is a dangerous illusion.
1. Halt All Impositions: Cease all recognition of unilaterally imposed candidate lists that lack the consensus of verified Abia stakeholders. 2. Direct Full Harmonization: Mandate the immediate recognition and empowerment of the Abia NDC Powerhouse Mandate Framework to unify conflicting factions under a single, functional campaign apparatus. 3. Grant Operational Authorization: Authorize the unified Abia Powerhouse as the official organ driving grassroots mobilization, voter education, and polling unit protection across the state.”
— Excerpts from the Open Press Declaration by the Abia NDC Powerhouse Assembly
National Leadership Put on Notice
The statement concluded with an emphatic call for Sen. Seriake Dickson and Sen. Moses Cleopas to intervene immediately and restore internal justice, stressing that the window to correct course in Abia State is rapidly closing.
Party faithful across the 17 LGAs are now awaiting an official response from the NDC National Working Committee in Abuja as tensions remain high over the party’s electoral strategy in the South-East zone.
