The Ward Executive Committee of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ward 9, comprising Amoli, Ogugu, Owelli and Ugbo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, has reaffirmed the indefinite suspension of Mr SKC Ogbonnia from the party.

The Ward said the suspension took effect on May 18, 2026, following the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution.

In a statement dated August 5, 2026, the Ward Executive Committee clarified that the suspension was not a recent decision and remains valid and binding until it is reviewed or lifted by the appropriate organs of the party.

According to the committee, the disciplinary action followed the report of a duly constituted Ward Disciplinary Committee set up to investigate petitions and complaints alleging anti-party activities, gross misconduct, acts of sabotage and conduct considered prejudicial to the interests of the NDC.

The Ward Chairman, Hon. Chief Chukwunta Chibuike Fabian, said the committee observed the principles of fair hearing and due process by issuing several invitations to Ogbonnia and giving him opportunities to appear and respond to the allegations against him.

However, the committee alleged that Ogbonnia failed and refused to honour the invitations or participate in the disciplinary proceedings.

According to the Ward, his alleged refusal to appear compelled the disciplinary committee to conclude its assignment based on the evidence before it.

The report was subsequently adopted unanimously by the Ward Executive Committee, which resolved that Ogbonnia be suspended indefinitely from the NDC with effect from May 18, 2026.

The party said the allegations against him included persistent anti-party activities, gross misconduct, disloyalty, attempts to undermine the party’s leadership, programmes and electoral interests, conduct capable of bringing the party into public disrepute, and disregard for the party’s constitution and lawful directives.

The Ward Executive Committee also claimed that its internal verification showed that Ogbonnia was not recognised as a registered member of the NDC in Ward 9.

The committee questioned the basis of his alleged association with the party and expressed concern over his possession of the Ward’s account number.

According to the Ward, it did not authorise or disclose its account details to Ogbonnia and called on him to explain how he allegedly obtained the information.

The committee further stated that, throughout the period of his suspension, Ogbonnia is prohibited from attending or participating in meetings, programmes, activities or decision-making processes of the NDC.

It also warned that he must not present himself publicly as a member, official or representative of the party unless and until the suspension is reviewed or lifted by the appropriate party authorities.

The Ward Executive Committee said the disciplinary action was necessary to protect the integrity, discipline, unity, constitutional order and credibility of the NDC.

It reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, internal democracy and what it described as zero tolerance for conduct detrimental to the collective interests of the party.

The statement was signed by Hon. Chief Chukwunta Chibuike Fabian, Ward Chairman, NDC Ward 9, Awgu Local Government Area, Enugu State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly frozen a bank account belonging to the Osun State Government, just 10 days before the state’s governorship election, heightening political tension ahead of the August 15 poll.

Documents obtained by Vanguard indicate that the account, domiciled with First Bank and reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, has been placed on “Post No Debit” status by the anti-graft agency.

The development came barely hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the EFCC to freeze the state government’s accounts and those of key government officials.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the reported move as a deliberate attempt to cripple the operations of his administration ahead of the governorship election.

Adeleke argued that there was no legal basis for the action, insisting that the EFCC lacked the statutory authority to freeze the accounts of a state government.

A source close to the governor, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed that the restriction had already taken effect.

“I can confirm that the state government account has been frozen by the EFCC. It is no longer an allegation. The governor will address the press shortly to update the public on the situation,” the source said.

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had yet to issue an official statement confirming or explaining the reported action. The reason for the account restriction also remained unclear.

The reported account freeze is expected to heighten political tensions in Osun as political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the Osun State governorship election and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has charged members of the council to focus on securing victory for the party, stressing that every other matter can wait until after the election.

Uzodinma gave the charge on Monday at a meeting of the campaign council held at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

He described the campaign as a serious assignment, urging members not to treat it as an occasion for celebration or social activities.

According to him, the primary objective of the campaign council is to mobilise support and deliver victory for the APC in the August 15 Osun governorship election.

Uzodinma said the meeting was a working session and urged members to contribute meaningfully to the campaign.

“We have directed all the subcommittees to meet immediately and submit their ideas and proposals before Thursday. Every member of this council belongs to a subcommittee and has a role to play in ensuring our success in the August 15 governorship election,” he said.

He added that the purpose of the meeting was to formally mandate the subcommittees to reconvene and develop practical ideas and strategies that would strengthen the party’s campaign.

The governor directed chairmen of the various subcommittees to submit their resolutions and proposals to the council’s National Secretary, assuring them that the Central Working Committee would provide the necessary support to execute their assignments.

“I therefore urge all the chairmen of all the subcommittees to submit to the National Secretary of this committee all their resolutions and proposals that will enable them to work, and where they think the Central Working Committee will help them to actualise their mission,” Uzodinma said.

The APC campaign council chairman reiterated that the party had a single objective ahead of the election.

“We have only one mission, to win the election. Everything can come after the elections,” he declared.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has warned President Bola Tinubu against allowing the alleged manipulation of the August 15 governorship election in the state, cautioning that any attempt to subvert the will of the people could trigger a political crisis reminiscent of the violence that followed the disputed 1983 elections.

Adeleke issued the warning on Monday while addressing thousands of supporters at Orita-Sabo in Olorunda Local Government Area during a campaign rally ahead of the governorship poll.

The governor accused leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun of allegedly sponsoring political violence and intimidation, urging President Tinubu to call party leaders and security agencies to order.

“Mr President, I want you to take note of my words. I am the Chief Security Officer of Osun. You are a Yoruba man and Osun is Yorubaland, yet your party chieftains are perpetrating political violence while you look the other way,” Adeleke said.

Calling for a peaceful and credible election, the governor said his administration was only demanding a transparent electoral process.

“Mr President, all we demand is a free and fair election. If anybody tries to do otherwise, the political crisis of 1983, when some people tried to rig Michael Ajasin in Ondo State out of power, may repeat itself again,” he warned.

Adeleke also alleged that security agencies, particularly the police, were being used to harass political opponents, urging the President to uphold the democratic principles he once championed.

“Mr President, call your people to order. Call the police chiefs to order. I am the governor here, not any other person. Accord has already endorsed you as its presidential candidate, so why are we suffering again?

“You fought for democracy in Nigeria and you must not allow your people to destroy it. Wake up to your responsibility, Mr President. Stop the shenanigans going on in Osun,” he said.

The governor maintained that protecting the integrity of the election was essential to preserving peace and democratic stability in the state.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, urged residents of Osun to turn out in large numbers on election day and vote for Adeleke’s re-election.

Oyewumi said the governor’s performance had earned him another term, urging eligible voters not only to cast their ballots but also to remain vigilant in protecting their votes.

“The good work of Governor Adeleke is enough reason for the people to return him to office. We urge all eligible voters to come out en masse, vote and protect their votes,” he said.