The lingering leadership crisis rocking the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as more than 80 party aspirants under the umbrella of the Enugu G80 formally declared their total support for the State Working Committee led by the Chairman, Dr. Johnpaul Anih.

The endorsement followed an extraordinary virtual meeting of the coalition held on Monday, August 3, 2026, where members unanimously resolved to recognize the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive as the authentic leadership of the party in Enugu State.

The G80, described as a coalition of over 80 aspirants drawn from different political blocs within the party, said its decision was reached after a careful review of the circumstances surrounding the leadership dispute and extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders.

According to the communique adopted at the meeting, the coalition concluded that the executive led by Dr. Johnpaul Anih remains the only leadership produced through a valid state congress conducted on May 4, 2026, in compliance with the party’s constitution and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The group maintained that the legitimacy of that congress cannot be displaced by any parallel arrangement or externally imposed structure.

The forum further announced the unconditional endorsement of the Anih-led executive, describing the decision as one driven by justice, equity, constitutional order and respect for internal democracy.

As part of the resolutions, members agreed to dissolve their individual political structures into the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led leadership in order to build a united and formidable platform capable of strengthening the party across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State.

The aspirants also pledged financial, moral and political support to the State Executive in its ongoing efforts to consolidate the party and defend what they described as the democratic mandate freely given by party members during the state congress.

Addressing the forum, Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, who briefed members on the outcome of recent engagements with Dr. Johnpaul Anih and other stakeholders, urged party faithful to remain united in the interest of the party and the advancement of democratic values.

The coalition disclosed that it would immediately forward an official letter to the National Leader of the party, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, formally communicating its endorsement while urging the national leadership to respect the outcome of the validly conducted congress and restore constitutional order within the Enugu State chapter.

In the letter signed by the group’s coordinator, Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, NDC Senatorial aspirant for Enugu West Zone, and Chief Charles Solomon Ako, NDC House of Reps aspirant for Igboetiti/Uzouwani federal constituency, the G80 appealed to the national leadership to reaffirm the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee as the legitimate leadership of the party in Enugu State, reject attempts to create or sustain parallel executive structures and ensure that all party organs recognize the executive produced through the congress.

The coalition also called for the harmonisation of candidates produced by the two factions in line with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution, insisting that any harmonisation process must be anchored on the executive that emerged from the validly conducted congress.

In a strongly worded warning, the G80 cautioned individuals and groups against actions capable of undermining the unity and stability of the party in Enugu State.

The coalition declared that it would resist every attempt to impose parallel leadership structures, insisting that only executives produced through constitutional processes possess the legal and moral authority to administer the affairs of the party.

The group further maintained that respect for internal democracy remains indispensable to the survival of the NDC, arguing that allowing unelected structures to supersede validly elected executives would erode members’ confidence and weaken the party ahead of future elections.

The latest endorsement adds to growing support for the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Executive, coming barely weeks after party stakeholders, State Working Committee members and local government chairmen unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the leadership, citing its grassroots mobilisation efforts and commitment to strengthening the party in Enugu State.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State, Dr. Johnpaul Anih, on Tuesday led the party’s campaign flag-off in Aninri Local Government Area ahead of the forthcoming local government elections slated for September 26.

Dr. Anih, accompanied by members of the State Working Committee, stormed Aninri to officially inaugurate the party’s campaign in support of its chairmanship candidate, Hon. Edward Onu Nwonye, and the party’s ten councillorship candidates.

The event, which attracted a massive crowd of party faithful, supporters, youths, women and community leaders from across the local government areas, turned into a carnival-like atmosphere as residents came out in large numbers to welcome the NDC leadership.

Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, Dr. Johnpaul Anih expressed confidence in the party’s chances of recording a landslide victory in the September 26 local government elections.

He described the overwhelming turnout as a clear indication that the people of Aninri had embraced the Nigeria Democratic Congress as the credible alternative capable of delivering purposeful leadership at the grassroots.

He urged party members to remain united, disciplined and focused throughout the campaign period, emphasizing that victory could only be achieved through hard work, peaceful engagement and sustained grassroots mobilization.

Dr. Anih also issued a stern warning to the All Progressives Congress (APC), cautioning the party against any attempt to intimidate voters, manipulate the electoral process, or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections.

According to him, the era of using threats, coercion and electoral malpractice to influence election outcomes was over, insisting that the people of Enugu State were determined to defend their votes and ensure that their collective will prevailed at the polls.

He called on the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) and security agencies to provide a level playing field for all political parties and to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, transparent and credible manner.

The NDC State Chairman assured the electorate that the party’s candidates possess the competence, integrity and vision required to transform governance at the grassroots and deliver quality representation through people-oriented policies and programmes.

In his remarks, the NDC chairmanship candidate for Aninri Local Government Area, Hon. Edward Onu Nwonye, appreciated the state leadership of the party for its unwavering support and confidence in his candidacy.

He pledged to run an inclusive and development-driven administration if elected, promising to prioritize infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, agriculture and rural development.

The Chairman of the party in Aninri LGA, Hon. Stephen Ajah thanked the state leadership and assured of victory come September 26 elections.

Highlight of the campaign flagoff was the presentation of the party’s candidates to the people.

The Imole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for the immediate release of 86 Accord Party members allegedly arrested by the police ahead of the August 8 governorship election, accusing security agencies of political intimidation.

Addressing journalists after a visit to the Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, the campaign’s spokesperson, Barrister Pelumi Olajengbasi, described the arrests as unlawful and warned that they could undermine the credibility of the forthcoming governorship poll.

Olajengbasi alleged that the detained individuals, all members of the Accord Party, were arrested solely because of their support for Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid and not for committing any criminal offence.

According to him, efforts to obtain clarification from police authorities yielded no explanation, as no petition or formal charges had been filed against the detainees.

He further claimed that 36 of those arrested had been transferred to the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Keffi, Nasarawa State, while another 14 were moved to the Kuje Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory.

Describing the development as a misuse of state institutions, the campaign spokesman accused the police of abandoning their constitutional responsibility by acting in a partisan manner during the election period.

Olajengbasi also alleged that the Secretary to the Osun State Government was arrested while carrying out voter sensitisation activities, insisting that security agencies should protect the democratic process rather than intimidate political actors.

He further claimed that some of the arrested party members were allegedly asked by security personnel whether they were willing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the allegation as disturbing and embarrassing for Nigeria’s democracy.

Calling for urgent intervention, the campaign urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure neutrality among security agencies and accused the Osun State Commissioner of Police of bias, warning that his continued supervision of election security could compromise the integrity of the poll.

The council also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that security agencies remain impartial before, during, and after the governorship election.

When contacted, Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan said he was unaware of the alleged arrests and promised to verify the claims.

“I am not aware. Let me check and get back to you,” the police commissioner said.

As of the time of filing the report, he had yet to provide further clarification on the matter.

The campaign maintained that Nigerians and the international community would closely monitor the conduct of security agencies during the election, stressing that democratic institutions must not be deployed to harass or intimidate political opponents.

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, is set to inaugurate the party’s Oyo State Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council on Friday as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the inauguration ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.

The statement announced the appointment of the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, as the Oyo State Coordinator of the APM 2027 Presidential Campaign and Director-General of the party’s Oyo State Governorship Campaign Council.

Former Chairman of Oyo East Local Government, Hon. Saheed Arowosaye, popularly known as AROSAD, will serve as the Deputy State Coordinator of the presidential campaign in the state.

To strengthen the governorship campaign structure, the party also appointed three Deputy Directors-General to oversee operations across the state’s senatorial districts.

Hon. Ademola Ojo, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, will coordinate activities in Oyo South, while Dr. Femi Ojo and Alhaji Siju Lawal will supervise Oyo Central and Oyo North senatorial districts, respectively.

The campaign council also named Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo as Director of the Women’s Wing, while former Special Assistant on Youth to Governor Makinde, Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa, will lead the Youth Wing.

The statement added that additional members of the campaign council and other campaign structures would be announced in the coming days as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections.