NDC Crisis: Group Demands Suspension of Esimaje Awani Over Self-Declaration Saga

NDC Crisis: Group Demands Suspension of Esimaje Awani Over Self-Declaration Saga

By Donatus Akpoguma

Fresh political turmoil has engulfed the Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a pressure group within the party has called for the immediate suspension of Comrade Esimaje Vincent Awani over allegations of anti-party activities and an alleged unilateral declaration of himself as the party’s candidate for the Warri Federal Constituency ahead of the party primaries and official decision for the 2026 elections.

The development has heightened internal tensions within the fast-rising political platform, with party stakeholders warning that the controversy could undermine the NDC’s growing popularity and electoral prospects in Delta State if urgent disciplinary measures are not taken.

The group, operating under the banner of Concerned NDC Members for Good Governance and led by Comrade Okorodudu Akpoyibo, accused Awani of allegedly attempting to create parallel structures within the party and sow division among members through what they described as an “illegal and provocative self-declaration.”

In a strongly worded statement made available to journalists in Warri on Tuesday, the group alleged that Awani organised a controversial stakeholders’ gathering at his private event centre located along Shell Contractors Road, near Eagle Roundabout, off Ogunu Road, Warri, where he allegedly declared himself winner and candidate of the party for the Warri Federal Constituency.

The group insisted that no official primary election had been conducted by the NDC and that no individual had been authorised by the party leadership to assume the position of candidate.

According to Akpoyibo, Awani’s action amounted to gross misconduct, abuse of party processes and an attempt to ridicule the authority of the party leadership before the public.

“This reckless action is not only unconstitutional but a direct affront on the integrity and internal democratic process of the NDC. No individual has the authority to declare himself candidate outside the party’s recognised procedures,” the statement read.

The concerned members further called on the national and Delta State leadership of the NDC to immediately suspend Awani pending investigation into what they described as acts capable of bringing the party into disrepute.

“We are demanding the immediate suspension of Comrade Esimaje Vincent Awani from the NDC for engaging in activities capable of causing disunity, confusion and embarrassment to the party. The leadership must act swiftly to save the party from infiltration and internal sabotage,” Akpoyibo stated.

The group alleged that Awani and his associates were acting as political “moles and placeholders” allegedly sponsored by opposition interests threatened by the increasing acceptance of the NDC across Warri Federal Constituency.

“We had earlier raised concerns that certain persons had infiltrated the party with the intention of destabilising it from within because they are afraid of the NDC producing a formidable candidate capable of challenging the established political order in Warri Federal Constituency,” the statement added.

Akpoyibo further alleged that Awani had previously attempted similar political manoeuvres in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) before allegedly moving into the NDC to continue what the group termed “destructive political antics.”

According to the group, Awani’s actions were strategically aimed at weakening the party ahead of the 2027 elections and frustrating the emergence of a broadly accepted candidate capable of uniting the various ethnic blocs within the constituency.

“Esimaje Awani is merely attempting to diminish the strength and credibility of the NDC in Warri Federal Constituency while allegedly serving the interests of certain APC elements. His activities are suspicious, divisive and politically motivated,” the statement alleged.

The pressure group also dismissed claims that Awani enjoyed widespread support among stakeholders in the constituency, insisting that prominent Urhobo, Ijaw and Itsekiri stakeholders were not part of the alleged endorsement gathering.

“The Urhobo, Ijaw and Itsekiri people in Warri Federal Constituency are not part of this arrangement. We categorically reject the purported self-declaration and any attempt to impose an individual on the party outside democratic procedures,” the group stated.

The controversy comes amid heightened political sensitivities surrounding the recent delineation disputes and growing realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections in Delta State.

Political observers in Warri believe the unfolding crisis reflects deeper power struggles and ethnic political calculations linked to the future control of the Warri Federal Constituency, especially following disagreements generated by the recent ward and constituency delineation debates in the area.

Analysts warn that failure by the NDC leadership to quickly address the crisis may create further divisions within the party and weaken its chances of consolidating support among key ethnic and political blocs in the constituency.

As of the time of filing this report, Comrade Esimaje Vincent Awani had yet to publicly respond to the allegations and calls for his suspension by the pressure group.