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A senatorial aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ogochukwu Onyema, has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into a dispute over alleged ₦20 million extortion 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 through misrepresentation, undue influence, and coercive pressure during the nomination process.
He alleged that beyond the ₦3 million paid for the Expression of Interest form and an additional ₦500,000 “voluntary” levy, aspirants were pressured during screening to make further payments, which he said were presented as a condition for securing the party’s ticket.
He said he had earlier paid ₦3 million for the Expression of Interest form and subsequently added another ₦500,000, which he described as a voluntary contribution to support the party’s activities.
However, he alleged that during screening, aspirants were told that financial contributions were tied to eligibility for nomination.
He quoted the 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.”
Onyema said the statement created pressure that influenced his decision to make further payment.
He added: “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.”
Despite the payment, he alleged that he was not issued a nomination form, nor given any screening report or official explanation regarding his candidacy status.
He also claimed that some aspirants who did not meet similar financial expectations were still 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.
Onyema said he resigned from the party on June 1 and subsequently wrote to its leadership demanding a refund of the ₦20 million he claimed was unlawfully obtained from him, but said no response was received.
He therefore urged the EFCC to investigate the allegations, recover the funds, and ensure that those found culpable are held accountable for alleged fraud, extortion, and abuse of office during the screening process.
Since the conclusion of its primaries, the NDC has found itself mired in a growing wave of internal disputes, with allegations ranging from manipulation of results to extortion and withholding of screening outcomes.
The party’s repeated attempts to defend its processes have done little to calm aggrieved aspirants, many of whom insist that the explanations offered so far are unconvincing.
With petitions now flying in different directions, questions are emerging over whether the NDC is sliding deeper into crisis.
As a relatively young political platform positioning itself as an alternative to the established order, its ability to manage these controversies is being closely watched.
For now, it remains uncertain whether the party will weather the storm, rebuild trust among Nigerians seeking credible political alternatives, and emerge stronger ahead of the 2027 elections, or be consumed by its early internal battles before the real contest begins.
