The Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Anambra State, David Chukwudifu, has expressed concerns that the party may face significant challenges in winning even a single ward in the 2027 general elections. He attributes this potential struggle to the alleged marginalization of existing party executives by the presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his associates. Chukwudifu claims that Obi and his team have been sidelining the party's established leadership in Anambra State.
According to Chukwudifu, the dispute began when Obi joined the NDC on May 3, 2026, and his associates started conducting political activities without involving the state, local government, and ward structures. Chukwudifu had conducted the party's state congress on May 4 and attended the national convention in Abuja on May 9. He attempted to contact Obi but claims that his calls and messages were ignored. Chukwudifu emphasizes that his issue is not with Obi personally but with the failure of Obi's team to recognize the existing party executives.
The NDC chairman alleges that another group, led by Chris McCool Nwosu and Ikem Uzoezie, began selling nomination forms, screening aspirants, and conducting a primary election without consulting his leadership. Chukwudifu claims that these individuals had moved with Obi from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the NDC and started operating independently of the existing state leadership. This development has left the elected executives without meaningful involvement in the party's political activities.
Chukwudifu also mentions that some of those now managing the party's affairs in Anambra had previously belonged to the Labour Party and APGA. He states that the group had been operating from hotels before his faction inaugurated its own office. The chairman rejects suggestions that his earlier public comments about Obi indicated a personal relationship between them, explaining that he had spoken in support of Obi's political philosophy.
The chairman describes an alleged telephone conversation involving Obi and an associate, in which Obi reportedly indicated that he would not work with the existing executives. Chukwudifu claims that the dispute took another turn on June 27, 2026, when Obi met one of the NDC local government chairmen and denied being aware of the party executives being sidelined. The situation has affected the party's ability to mobilize supporters and coordinate activities across Anambra State.
Chukwudifu says that people continue to contact him through the party's online portal, asking about meetings and volunteering opportunities, but he has been unable to provide clear information due to the unresolved crisis. He describes the situation as destabilizing, with much of the party's activity now taking place online rather than through an effective physical structure across the state. Chukwudifu also alleges that Obi has not visited the NDC secretariat in Anambra since becoming the party's presidential candidate.
The chairman has taken steps to resolve the matter through the party's internal dispute-resolution mechanisms before considering legal action. He wrote to the relevant party authorities on May 26 and 27, 2026, asking them to intervene in accordance with the NDC constitution. Chukwudifu warns that the crisis could have serious consequences for the NDC ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly in Anambra State, where APGA has maintained a dominant position since 2006.
Key points
- The NDC chairman, David Chukwudifu, warns that the party may struggle to win a ward in Anambra State due to alleged marginalization of existing party executives.
- The dispute between Chukwudifu and Obi's associates is over the sidelining of existing party executives in Anambra State.
- The crisis could have serious consequences for the NDC in the 2027 elections, particularly in Anambra State, where APGA has a strong presence.
