JOINT PETITION OF BONNY LGA WARD CHAIRMEN AND WARD EXECUTIVES REGARDING ILLEGAL RECOGNITION OF ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE

JOINT PETITION OF THE TWELVE (12) WARD CHAIRMEN AND WARD EXECUTIVES OF BONNY LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Date: June 22, 2026

To:

Through:

The State Executive Committee,

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)

PETITION OF PROTEST AGAINST THE RECOGNITION OF A CANDIDATE WHO DID NOT EMERGE FROM THE DULY CONDUCTED BONNY LGA PRIMARY ELECTION OF MAY 29, 2026

We, the undersigned Ward Chairmen and Ward Executive Members representing the Twelve (12) Wards of Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State, respectfully submit this petition to formally protest the recognition of a candidate who did not emerge from the duly conducted primary election of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Bonny LGA.

This petition is made in defence of internal democracy, fairness, transparency, and the collective decision of accredited delegates and party members who participated in the official primary election conducted in Bonny Local Government Area on May 29, 2026.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

On May 29, 2026, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) conducted its nationwide primary elections across the Federation, including Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

‘The Bonny LGA primary election was conducted under the supervision of the duly recognized Bonny LGA Party Executive Committee led by Hon. Dr. Larry I. D. Ibaningo, the Bonny LGA Chairman of the Party.

The exercise was attended and witnessed by:

• Representatives of the State Chapter of the Party
• Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
• Officers of the Nigeria Police Force
• Officials of the Department of State Services (DSS)
• Accredited Delegates
• Party Stakeholders
• Ward Chairmen and Ward Executives from the Twelve (12) Wards of Bonny
• LGA
• Youth and Women Leaders
• Party Members and Observers

The exercise was peaceful, transparent, credible, and conducted in accordance with party guidelines and democratic principles.

The proceedings were adequately documented through photographs, video recordings, attendance records, accreditation records, reports of officials, and other election materials generated during the process.

STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PRIMARY ELECTION

The following aspirants contested for the nomination of the party for the Rivers State House of Assembly Seat representing Bonny Constituency:

1. Michael Pepple

2. Sodienye Amah Pepple

3. Godswill Abbey

Out of the three (3) aspirants listed above, only two (2) aspirants participated in the duly conducted primary election organized and supervised by the Bonny LGA Party Structure, namely:

1. Michael Pepple

2. Sodienye Amah Pepple

Godswill Abbey was absent from the duly conducted primary election organized by the Bonny LGA Party Structure on May 29, 2026.

Following the voting process conducted by accredited delegates, Mr. Sodienye Amah Pepple emerged victorious and was declared winner of the State House of Assembly Primary Election for Bonny Constituency.

The outcome represented the democratic choice of delegates and stakeholders who participated in the official primary election.

The result and proceedings were witnessed by party officials, stakeholders, security agencies, INEC officials, and delegates present at the venue.

Despite the successful conduct of the primary election and the emergence of Mr. Sodienye Amah Pepple as the winner, we have become aware that Mr. Godswill Abbey is being recognized by the State Chapter as the party’s candidate.

This development has generated widespread dissatisfaction among party members across the Twelve (12) Wards of Bonny LGA because it appears inconsistent with the outcome of the duly conducted primary election held on

May 29, 2026.

OUR CONCERNS

1. The democratic wishes of accredited delegates who participated in the primary election appear to have been disregarded.

2. The outcome of the duly conducted primary election appears not to have been respected.

3. Party members who participated in good faith now question the integrity and credibility of the process.

4. The development threatens party unity, grassroots confidence, and internal democracy within Bonny LGA.

5. The efforts of party executives, stakeholders, delegates, and supervising officials who participated in the official exercise risk being rendered meaningless.

OUR DEMANDS

In view of the foregoing, we respectfully request that:

A. The State Executive Committee immediately reviews all records relating to the Bonny LGA Primary Election conducted on May 29, 2026.

B. All reports submitted by State Representatives, LGA Executives, INEC officials present, security agencies, delegates, and stakeholders be reviewed.

C. Video evidence, photographs, accreditation records, attendance records, and official reports relating to the primary election be examined.

D. The outcome of the duly conducted primary election be respected and upheld.

E. The candidate who emerged from the official primary election conducted in Bonny LGA, Mr. Sodienye Amah Pepple, be recognized in accordance with the decision of accredited delegates.

F. Appropriate steps be taken to restore confidence in the democratic processes of the party.

CONCLUSION

We remain loyal members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and firmly believe that justice, transparency, fairness, and respect for democratic processes must prevail at all times.

We therefore call on the State Executive Committee to urgently intervene in this matter and ensure that the mandate freely given by delegates during the duly conducted Bonny LGA Primary Election of May 29, 2026, is protected and respected.

We trust that this petition will receive urgent attention in the interest of justice, party unity, and the credibility of our great party.

Executed and adopted by the Twelve (12) Ward Chairmen and Ward Executives of Bonny Local Government Area on this 22nd day of June, 2026.

Yours faithfully,

FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE TWELVE (12) WARD CHAIRMEN AND EXECUTIVES OF BONNY LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

WARD 1 Chairman:

WARD 2 Chairman: Hon. Hanson W. Hart

WARD 3 Chairman: Jumbo Chamberlain

WARD 4 Chairman: George Jumbo

WARD 5 Chairman: Christian Adango Tobin

WARD 6 Chairman: Minabo Edward Longjohn

WARD 7 Chairman: Diepiri Abbey

WARD 8 Chairman: Hon. Edward Green

WARD 9 Chairman: Pepple, Raphael Stephen

WARD 10 Chairman: Ashley Jumbo

WARD 11 Chairman: Dagogo C. Wilcox

WARD 12 Chairman: Lawrence Tolofari

CC:

Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, National Leader, NDC

The National Chairman

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)

Members of the National Working Committee (NWC)

Hon. Dr. Larry I. D. Ibaningo

LGA Chairman, NDC Bonny LGA

Bonny LGA Party Stakeholders

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