By Isaac Mission
The leadership crisis rocking the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken another turn, with a coalition of more than 80 party aspirants declaring support for the State Working Committee led by Dr. Johnpaul Anih.
Operating under the banner of the Enugu G80, the group announced its position after an extraordinary virtual meeting held on August 3, where members resolved to recognise the Anih-led executive as the legitimate leadership of the party in the state.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the coalition said its decision followed broad consultations and a careful review of the ongoing dispute within the party.
According to the group, the current State Working Committee emerged from the May 4, 2026 state congress, which it said complied with the party's constitution and was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The coalition maintained that the outcome of that congress remains valid and cannot be replaced by any parallel leadership arrangement.
The aspirants described their endorsement of the Anih-led executive as a commitment to constitutional order, internal democracy, fairness and equity within the party.
As part of their resolutions, members agreed to dissolve their individual political structures into the recognised state executive to strengthen the party's presence across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State. They also pledged their financial, political and moral support to the leadership.
During the meeting, Dr. S.K.C. Ogbonnia urged party members to remain united and focused on strengthening the NDC ahead of future political activities.
The coalition also disclosed plans to formally petition the party's National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, requesting that the national leadership recognise the executive elected during the May 4 congress and restore constitutional order in the state chapter.
The letter, jointly signed by Dr. S.K.C. Ogbonnia, coordinator of the G80 and NDC senatorial aspirant for Enugu West, alongside Chief Charles Solomon Ako, a House of Representatives aspirant for Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency, called on the party leadership to reject parallel executive structures and direct all party organs to recognise the congress-produced State Working Committee.
The coalition further appealed for the harmonisation of candidates produced by the rival factions, insisting that any reconciliation process should be carried out under the supervision of the executive elected through the May 4 state congress.
