Fresh controversy has erupted within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) following growing opposition from party members against the alleged infiltration of former members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the center of the dispute is Isioma Ndah, whose reported ambition to secure the NDC ticket for the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency has sparked outrage among some party loyalists.
Loyalists accuse the leadership of attempting to hand over party structures to “political opportunists” and “APC moles.”
In a series of statements and internal communications circulating among party members, aggrieved stakeholders warned that the NDC must not repeat what they described as the mistakes made by the Labour Party during the 2023 elections.
Defectors from rival parties had allegedly hijacked the platform.
The members insisted that individuals who recently defected from the APC should not be rewarded with party tickets ahead of long-standing loyalists who have remained committed to building the NDC from its formative stage.
“We must remain vigilant and protect the integrity and vision of our party,” one of the statements read.
“Those defecting from APC into NDC are coming with the same political mindset and practices that have affected the system for years.
“We must say no to system hijackers and political opportunists,” the statement added.
The protesting members argued that loyalty, consistency and dedication to the growth of the party should form the basis for the emergence of candidates, rather than political influence or last-minute defections.
According to them, the NDC “belongs to genuine party faithful, not to those seeking another platform for personal political gain.”
Particular attention was drawn to Isioma Ndah, whom critics described as a known associate of former Rotimi Amaechi ally and political figure Victor Ochei.
Some party members alleged that her defection to the NDC came only after failing to secure the APC ticket.
The aggrieved members further claimed that Ndah had earlier purchased APC Expression of Interest and Nomination forms before reportedly abandoning the process to seek refuge in the NDC.
According to them, such participation in APC activities could expose the NDC to legal complications should she eventually emerge as the party’s candidate.
“If Isioma Ndah was serious about running for election outside APC, she ought to have pitched her tent with another platform from the beginning.
“Having participated in APC processes and not registering with NDC before the membership register was submitted to INEC automatically disqualifies her,” one member stated.
The members maintained that the party was not desperate for candidates and should avoid actions capable of triggering post-primary litigation.
Concerns were also raised over the timing of Ndah’s alleged registration with the party.
Some stakeholders claimed she did not join the NDC before the membership register was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on May 8, 2026.
The internal crisis deepened further following allegations that powerful political interests had already concluded arrangements to hand over the House of Representatives ticket for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency to Ndah ahead of party screening and primaries.
In one of the leaked conversations circulating among party faithful, a concerned aspirant alleged that he received a phone call from an APC apologist.
The caller allegedly informed him not to bother returning to Nigeria for the screening exercise because the ticket had already been allocated to Ndah.
The aspirant claimed that the APC member and supporter of President Bola Tinubu also hinted that the NDC Senate ticket had similarly been decided.
According to the account, the aspirant challenged the alleged arrangement, insisting that Ndah was ineligible to contest under the NDC.
This is because she had already participated in APC activities and primaries.
He also warned that handing her the ticket could make the party vulnerable to legal action from dissatisfied aspirants and stakeholders.
The development has triggered intense debate within the NDC, particularly among grassroots members who fear that influential politicians from established parties may hijack the structure of the emerging political movement ahead of the 2027 elections.
Some party loyalists have therefore called on the national leadership of the National Democratic Coalition to ensure transparency during the screening and primary processes.
They insist that only credible and committed members should be allowed to fly the party’s flag.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Isioma Ndah nor the leadership of the NDC had officially responded to the allegations and concerns raised by party members.
