By Oscar Okhifo,
A senatorial aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ogochukwu Onyema, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged ₦20 million extortion scheme linked to the party’s screening exercise in Enugu West Senatorial District.
In a petition dated June 3 and submitted through his lawyer, Ayomide Ahmed, Onyema accused members of the party’s senatorial screening committee of obtaining money from aspirants through misrepresentation, undue influence and coercive pressure during the nomination process.
According to him, the alleged demand came in addition to the ₦3 million paid for the party’s Expression of Interest form and a further ₦500,000 contribution he described as voluntary support for party activities.
Onyema claimed that during the screening exercise, aspirants were led to believe that substantial financial contributions were tied to their chances of securing the party’s nomination.
He quoted members of the screening committee as saying, “Senatorial aspirants were expected to show capacity by contributing ₦20 million; House of Representatives aspirants ₦10 million, and governorship aspirants ₦50 million, as a pathway to candidacy.”
He argued that the statement created significant pressure and influenced his decision to make the additional payment.
“Although the payment was described as voluntary, the comments and conduct of the Screening Committee conveyed that payment of ₦20 million was necessary to demonstrate seriousness, capacity and eligibility for consideration as a senatorial candidate,” he stated.
Despite making the payment, Onyema alleged that he neither received a nomination form nor any official communication regarding the outcome of his screening.
He further claimed that some aspirants who did not make similar financial contributions were nonetheless considered for nomination.
“Furthermore, despite the completion of the screening exercise and primary election activities, no nomination form was issued to me, no screening report was published, and no official explanation was provided regarding the status of my candidature,” he said.
According to the petitioner, he resigned from the NDC on June 1 and subsequently wrote to the party’s leadership demanding a refund of the ₦20 million he claimed was unlawfully obtained from him. He said the request received no response.
Onyema is therefore asking the EFCC to investigate the allegations, recover the funds and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable for alleged fraud, extortion and abuse of office in the conduct of the screening exercise.
The petition adds to a growing list of internal disputes that have trailed the NDC since the conclusion of its primary elections. Aggrieved aspirants have raised concerns ranging from alleged manipulation of results to claims of extortion and a lack of transparency in the screening process.
Although the party has repeatedly defended the integrity of its primaries and nomination procedures, critics within its ranks insist that the explanations offered so far have failed to address key concerns.
With petitions now being filed before different authorities, fresh questions are emerging about the party’s internal cohesion and its ability to manage disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As a relatively young political platform seeking to position itself as an alternative to Nigeria’s established political parties, the NDC’s handling of the controversies is likely to attract increased public scrutiny.
Whether the party can contain the growing discontent, rebuild confidence among members and supporters, and emerge stronger ahead of 2027 remains uncertain. For now, the allegations have added to the challenges confronting a party still trying to define its place in Nigeria’s political landscape.