The National Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), South-East, Mr Teddy Obe, has denied allegations by the party’s House of Representatives candidate for Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Mr Ceejay Henry Ezebuiro, that senior party leaders threatened his life and demanded money from him to retain his electoral ticket.
Obe described the allegations as serious and unfounded, challenging Ezebuiro to produce concrete evidence to support his claims, particularly the allegations that party officials demanded as much as N150 million from him and threatened to eliminate him if he refused to surrender his ticket.
The South-East NDC leader made his position known in a statement issued on Sunday and made available to PUNCH, insisting that the allegations had the potential to damage the reputation of individuals named as well as that of the party.
Obe specifically denied demanding money from Ezebuiro, either personally or on behalf of the NDC. He also rejected the allegation that he participated in any plan to force the candidate to relinquish the Ideato North and South Federal Constituency ticket to another aspirant.
According to him, Ezebuiro should provide details of the alleged financial transactions and meetings at which the demands were purportedly made if he believes the allegations are genuine.
Obe said the candidate should identify the date and venue of the alleged meeting, name the individuals who attended it and make available any documentary evidence supporting his claims.
He also challenged Ezebuiro to produce evidence of the alleged payment of money into a private account, arguing that any such transaction should leave a verifiable financial trail.
The NDC official said the allegation that a large sum of money was allegedly demanded from the candidate was too serious to be left at the level of media statements.
He therefore urged Ezebuiro to substantiate the allegations before the appropriate authorities or retract them.
“I completely reject the allegations attributed to me. I have never threatened Ceejay Ezebuiro’s life, demanded money from him, or asked him to surrender any ticket to anybody,” Obe said.
He added that if Ezebuiro had evidence linking him to any alleged demand for money or plan against his life, such evidence should be made available to the relevant authorities.
Obe further stated that he would consider legal action if the allegations were not withdrawn within 14 days.
The dispute followed allegations made by Ezebuiro, who accused some senior NDC leaders from the South-East of attempting to force him to give up the ticket he claimed to have won at the party’s National Assembly primary.
Ezebuiro alleged that the controversy began shortly after he emerged from the May 28, 2026, primary election as the party’s candidate for the Ideato North and South Federal Constituency.
According to reports of his briefing in Owerri, Ezebuiro alleged that he was summoned to a meeting involving some party leaders, including Obe, Chief Martin Agbaso and other officials.
He claimed that the leaders asked him to surrender his ticket to another businessman who, he alleged, had offered to provide financial support to the party.
Ezebuiro further alleged that he was told to provide money if he insisted on retaining the ticket.
In accounts attributed to him, he alleged that the demand eventually involved N150 million and claimed that part of the money was allegedly requested for payment into a private account.
He also alleged that senior party officials had made plans to eliminate him and subsequently attribute his death to the prevailing insecurity in the country.
Ezebuiro said he believed the alleged threats were connected to his refusal to surrender the ticket he claimed to have won in the party primary.
However, Obe has rejected the allegations, maintaining that neither he nor the NDC leadership threatened Ezebuiro or demanded money from him.
The South-East vice-chairman also disputed any suggestion that he had participated in a plan to transfer the candidate’s ticket to another aspirant.
He argued that disputes arising from party primaries should be handled through established internal procedures and the courts where necessary.
Obe said no individual should unilaterally assume the authority to transfer a nomination that had been legitimately secured by a candidate, stressing that the status of a disputed nomination should be determined by the relevant party records, electoral documents and applicable law.
The dispute has emerged as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections, with nominations and candidate lists becoming increasingly important to aspirants and party organisations.
The status of Ezebuiro’s candidacy has also become part of the disagreement. Reports cited by the candidate indicated that his name had been included in the list of NDC candidates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Ezebuiro reportedly maintained that his recognition as the party’s candidate meant that attempts to replace him would require compliance with the relevant electoral and party procedures.
Obe, however, urged him to make public the relevant documentation supporting his claim and allow the appropriate authorities to determine the legal status of the nomination.
The disagreement reflects a broader issue that frequently arises within political parties when candidates challenge decisions or alleged attempts at substitution after primary elections.
Under Nigeria’s electoral framework, disputes over nominations and candidate selection can be subjected to internal party processes and judicial review, depending on the circumstances and the applicable legal provisions.
Obe said the NDC leadership remained committed to resolving legitimate grievances through established channels rather than through public accusations.
He urged members of the party who believed their rights had been violated to seek redress through the appropriate mechanisms.
The NDC South-East leader also called on members and supporters to distinguish between allegations made by individuals involved in a political dispute and facts that have been established through evidence or competent authorities.
He maintained that serious allegations involving threats to life, extortion and attempted substitution should not be treated lightly.
For his part, Ezebuiro has maintained that his allegations were based on his experience following his emergence as the NDC candidate for the federal constituency.
He has also reportedly expressed concerns about what he described as internal problems within the party and questioned the handling of candidates and nominations.
The allegations have not, from the information available, been established by a court or other competent authority, while Obe has expressly denied the claims made against him.
The controversy therefore remains a dispute between the candidate and party officials, with the two sides presenting sharply different accounts of events surrounding the Ideato North and South Federal Constituency ticket.
Obe said the party would continue to focus on its political activities ahead of the 2027 elections and would not allow unverified allegations to distract its leadership.
He reiterated his demand that Ezebuiro provide evidence of the alleged financial transactions and alleged threats or withdraw the claims.
The candidate, meanwhile, retains the option of presenting any evidence he says supports his allegations before the appropriate authorities.
As the disagreement continues, the resolution of the dispute is likely to depend on documentary evidence, party records, electoral filings and, if necessary, judicial determination of the issues raised by both sides.
