A senatorial aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Edo South, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinwa, has expressed regret over his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the NDC, describing the move as going “from the frying pan into the fire.”
Speaking during an interview on Arise News’ News Day on Friday, the former House of Representatives member alleged that despite emerging victorious in the NDC senatorial primary for Edo South, he is being prevented from appearing on the ballot.
Agbonayinwa explained that the party opted for a direct primary after aspirants failed to agree on a consensus candidate. According to him, the process was rigorous, but the aftermath has been disappointing.
“I’ve moved from the frying pan to hellfire. We held a direct primary after efforts to reach a consensus failed. We went through all the necessary processes, but what has happened since then is something I never experienced while in APC or PDP,” he said.
He noted that the primary election was conducted on May 29, yet as of June 5, the outcome had not been officially announced.
The former governorship aspirant also accused the NDC’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, of encouraging him to purchase the party’s senatorial nomination form, only to later deny making such a suggestion.
Agbonayinwa said he had a longstanding relationship with Dickson and consulted him before making the move. According to him, Dickson proposed that he contest for the Senate under the NDC, prompting him to seek the views of his political associates before proceeding.
However, he claimed he was shocked when Dickson allegedly denied ever advising him to purchase the form during a meeting held on Friday.