- As party faithful express concerns over alleged imposition by leaders
By Ebube J. Yeolawa
The National Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has confirmed receiving former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, at his residence in Abuja shortly after their resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In separate resignation letters, both politicians cited the need for broader political growth and engagement through alternative political platforms.
Following the development, the NDC leadership announced that both Omo-Agege and Ochei had been granted waivers to contest the party’s senatorial primaries in Delta Central and Delta North Senatorial Districts, respectively.
The party said the decision followed weeks of consultations aimed at strengthening its structure in the South-South region and across the country.
According to Senator Dickson:
“It was a pleasure to warmly receive Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, former Deputy Senate President, into our great party, alongside Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.
“I am also pleased to announce that the NDC has not only received them warmly but has equally granted them waivers to contest in the senatorial primaries in their respective districts tomorrow. I wish them both the very best of luck.
“This development is the result of several weeks of consultations aimed at strengthening the foundations of our party in the South-South region and across the country.”
Senator Dickson further urged party members to warmly welcome the new entrants into the party and extend their fullest support and cooperation ahead of the primaries.
However, as senatorial primaries hold today, some party faithful at the ward level have reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over alleged imposition by leaders, alleging that ward and local government leaders were attempting to impose the “newcomers” on them under the guise of party supremacy.
They insisted that members of the party should be allowed to vote without fear or favour.
