NDC in Turmoil? Humanitarian Leader Quits, Alleges Ticket Manipulation

Chief Dr. Mrs. Mercy Eguriase Sule JP, a renowned humanitarian leader, Diaspora Ambassador, and former Ethiope East House of Assembly aspirant, has formally resigned from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists at the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Secretariat in Asaba, Delta State, Chief Sule strongly criticized her former party, accusing its leadership of nepotism and ticket racketeering.
She alleged that no genuine primary election was conducted in Ethiope East Local Government Area. According to her, a rival aspirant, Mr. Aghwarianovwe Ikie, allegedly hired thugs to violently disrupt the process to avoid an anticipated defeat.
Chief Sule further claimed that the party’s democratic procedures were abandoned due to family connections.
“Mr. Ikie is the in-law to the NDC Governorship Candidate. That is the sole reason he was handed the party’s ticket. He knew he was not going to win a fair primary election, so he sponsored thugs to disrupt it, knowing he could simply lobby the highest bidder to get his way,” she stated.
While commending the NDC national leadership as well as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates, whom she described as people of notable character, Sule maintained that the actions of the state governorship candidate and the alleged manipulation of the ticket process made it impossible for her to remain in the party.
She said she could no longer identify with a political platform that does not uphold democratic principles and values.
“The reason why many of these people are contesting is simply to ‘grab, grab, and grab.’ I will not align with a political party whose values do not conform with true democracy,” she said.
Chief Sule also expressed appreciation to the NNPP leadership for the reception accorded her and pledged to contribute to the growth and strengthening of the party in Delta State ahead of the general elections.
She promised to provide effective and people-oriented representation for the Ethiope East Constituency if elected into the House of Assembly in 2027.
Addressing the socio-economic situation in her constituency, Sule criticized the Delta State Government, accusing it of lacking a clear vision and adequate planning for the people.
She pointed to the economic hardships confronting many families, noting that some parents are compelled to exhaust their savings and sell property to educate their children, only for the graduates to face unemployment.
According to her, the shortage of employment opportunities has left many young people in Ethiope East without hope for the future.
She also lamented that worsening economic conditions have pushed some women into prostitution and some youths into internet fraud as a means of survival.
Reaffirming her commitment to empowering the people of the constituency, Chief Sule urged her supporters to remain steadfast and hopeful.
“I am the answer to the needs of the people of Ethiope East,” she said. “Change is coming, and all will be well.”