“Political Civil War Erupts In NDC As Dickson, Moses Cleopas Fight Ruthlessly Over Flagbearer”
By Passman Akpos
Fresh controversy has erupted within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following a bitter leadership tussle over the party’s flagbearer position in Ekeremor Constituency 3, with allegations of family influence, political manipulation, and backdoor dealings threatening to split the party ahead of the elections.
A source who spoke to Tarakirivoice alleged that the crisis has exposed a fierce power struggle between the camp of the National Leader of the party, Senator Seriake Dickson, and that of the National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe.
According to the source, Alex Jenakumo is reportedly a brother to Senator Dickson’s wife, Rachel Dickson, while Hon. Johnbull Cleopas is said to be a brother to the party’s National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe.
The insider claimed that Rachel Dickson allegedly threw her weight behind Alex Jenakumo and used her influence within the party hierarchy to push for his adoption as the party’s sole candidate.
“The wife of the National Leader has serious interest in Alex Jenakumo because he is her brother and in-law to Senator Dickson. She allegedly directed members of the party caucus to adopt him as the party’s flagbearer,” the source claimed.
However, the alleged move reportedly did not sit well with Hon. Johnbull Cleopas, who is also believed to be enjoying the backing of the National Chairman.
The political drama escalated when both men separately declared themselves winners of the primaries, each claiming to be the authentic flagbearer of the party.
“As our source put it, these are two big elephants fighting for control. It appears the National Chairman may have instructed his brother not to back down, while the wife of the National Leader is also mounting pressure on her husband to ensure her own brother emerges as the sole candidate,” the source added.
The crisis reportedly began after the party directed all interested aspirants to purchase Expression of Interest Forms for the sum of One Million Naira (₦1,000,000), with all aspirants complying in good faith.
Despite this, party leaders allegedly maintained that only the aspirant eventually adopted by the leadership would be allowed to purchase the nomination form.
Tensions reportedly worsened on May 26, 2026, when Hon. Johnbull Cleopas and Alex Jenakumo, alongside associates and loyalists, allegedly held a closed-door meeting at the residence of Hon. Selekebina Saboh.
The meeting, according to sources, was allegedly aimed at orchestrating the removal of three other aspirants — Hon. Stephen Imiemene, Barr. Torke Ekpetun, and Comrade Solomon Charles Ikpaka — from the contest.
A day later, on May 27, 2026, another meeting was reportedly convened by Constituency 3 leaders led by Mr. Solomon Young and Hon. Mark Ayoro, where the three aspirants were allegedly pressured to withdraw from the race.
Sources claimed the leaders informed them that the directive allegedly came from Senator Seriake Dickson, who supposedly stated that he did not know the aspirants and wanted them out of the contest.
The three aspirants, however, reportedly rejected the directive and staged a walkout from the meeting, insisting that such a statement could not have come from Senator Dickson, whom they described as a politician known for inclusiveness and democratic values.
They maintained that fairness, due process, and constitutional rights should prevail in the selection process.
Following their exit, the remaining group allegedly conducted what was described as a voting exercise between Hon. Johnbull Cleopas and Alex Jenakumo, with Hon. Johnbull Cleopas reportedly emerging winner.
However, in a dramatic twist, a subsequent meeting involving the Ekeremor Caucus and Ekeremor Party Executives, led by Ekeremor Exco Chairman Hon. Ebide Brown and Caucus Chairman Hon. Suru Oyarede, reportedly resolved the impasse differently.
At the meeting held at the residence of the Caucus Chairman, all five aspirants — Hon. Johnbull Cleopas, Alex Jenakumo, Comrade Solomon Charles Ikpaka, Barr. Torke Ekpetun, and Hon. Stephen Imiemene — allegedly agreed to respect whatever decision the party leadership eventually reached for the sake of unity and victory.
After what insiders described as “extensive consultations and critical deliberations,” the party leadership finally resolved to adopt Alex Jenakumo as the official flagbearer of the party.
The development has continued to generate intense reactions within political circles, with many party faithful worried that the lingering controversy and allegations of family interference could deepen divisions within the NDC ahead of the polls.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, Rachel Dickson, Alex Jenakumo, nor Hon. Johnbull Cleopas had publicly reacted to the allegations.
