A senatorial aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Edo South, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinwa, has expressed disappointment with his experience in the party, stating that he now regrets leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the NDC.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News' News Day programme on Friday, Agbonayinwa described his political journey within the NDC as more challenging than he had anticipated.

The former member of the House of Representatives alleged that despite emerging victorious in the party’s Edo South senatorial primary election, he was being prevented from appearing on the ballot.

According to him, the party eventually conducted a direct primary after efforts to reach a consensus among aspirants failed.

Agbonayinwa claimed that the process leading to the primary election involved extensive consultations and negotiations among contestants, but no agreement was reached on a consensus candidate.

He expressed concern over what he described as delays in the announcement and recognition of the primary election outcome, noting that the exercise was conducted on May 29, yet no official declaration had been made days later.

The former lawmaker said the situation was unlike anything he experienced during his time in either the APC or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that the uncertainty surrounding the process had left him frustrated.

Agbonayinwa also alleged that the national leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, initially encouraged him to contest for the Senate under the party.

According to him, Dickson advised him to obtain the necessary nomination forms after discussions about his political future and aspirations.

However, the aspirant claimed that during a subsequent meeting, the former Bayelsa State governor denied making such a recommendation, a development he described as surprising.

Despite his grievances, Agbonayinwa maintained that he participated fully in the party’s internal processes and expected the outcome of the primary election to be respected.

As of the time of filing this report, the NDC leadership and Senator Dickson had not publicly responded to the allegations.

The development adds to ongoing discussions surrounding internal party processes and preparations ahead of future electoral contests.