The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ondo State has slammed the Federal Government over the suit filed by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to remove the party and others from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) register.

The state Chairman of the party, Hon Kennedy Peretei, said the plan of the AGF office in filing the suit against the party, Accord Party (AP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) was to stiffen opposition and turn the country into a one-party state.

Peretei accused the federal government of attempting to suppress opposition voices, insisting that Nigeria’s democratic space must remain open to all political tendencies

Speaking at the inauguration of the state chapter of the NDC, Peretei said not less than 9,000 persons have registered since the former Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, and that of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, joined the party.

According to him, the registration figures are verifiable and not artificially generated: “Anybody can go to the NDC website and confirm this,” he said, dismissing suggestions that the numbers were exaggerated or digitally manipulated.

The state chapter of the NDC comprised factions of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and aggrieved members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Peretei said the party was ready to accommodate aggrieved members of the ruling APC and others who are disenchanted with the way their political party was being run just as he would welcome other opposition political parties to give the ruling party the run for its money.

His words “Let me tell you, there is a deliberate attempt to strangulate opposition in this country. But we believe that the political space must be enlarged. That is the reason the NDC is coming on board. We have registered more than 9 million Nigerians in the past few hours to the extent that the website almost collapsed.

“That is why the APC is afraid. They want to strangulate us. But it is not going to work. We are ready for them. This country belongs to all of us and nobody can pocket the entire country. If they attempt it, the pockets of such individuals would tear.”

Peretei said the plan for opposition political parties to field a common presidential candidate has not been jettisoned by the defection of Obi and Kwankwaso to the NDC.

His words “Anything can still happen. If opposition political parties met in Ibadan and agreed to field one candidate, the time has not lapsed. It can still work. We don’t close the door against fielding a single presidential candidate.

“NDC has registered about 10 million Nigerians in 48 hours. It is an expression of the frustration going on in the country. People want something different; people want something better than what they are experiencing now, and that is what will translate into votes in 2027.”

Peretei also assured party supporters that the Ondo State chapter would provide robust opposition, noting that consensus among party stakeholders had shaped the congress and strengthened internal unity.

According to him, “We are already a strong opposition. Having concluded this congress peacefully, those in government know there is no trouble in the political arena. They will be held accountable to the people.”

The Chairman of the Congress Committee, Emmanuel Alli, while declaring the results, said the exercise was conducted in line with directives from the party’s national headquarters and reflected the collective will of members across the state.

He announced Peretei as State Chairman, with Oluwole Akinmuyisan as Deputy Chairman and Babatunde Daudu as Secretary. Other elected officials included Ayodeji Joy as State Woman Leader, Samuel Olutosin as Organising Secretary, Owolola Adebola as Publicity Secretary, Asiwaju Bernard as Vice Chairman (South), and Olutubosun Isijola as Vice Chairman (North), among others.