Pastor David Ogbole Denies Selling NDC Benue South Senatorial Ticket, Challenges Daniel Onjeh to Produce Evidence

Pastor David Ogbole, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Senatorial Candidate for Benue South, has denied allegations that he relinquished his ticket to Comrade Daniel Onjeh in exchange for monetary compensation.

Ogbole, in a statement addressing what he described as widespread social-media claims, said the allegation was not only false but also a serious attack on his integrity and character.

According to him, the controversy began following reports that Onjeh had been presented as a substitute senatorial candidate of the NDC for Benue South.

Ogbole explained that he met Onjeh on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the instance of Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan (Rtd.), noting that it was their first interaction in approximately 16 years.

He said the meeting occurred two days after the NDC consensus senatorial candidature had been settled in his favour.

“Dan requested that AVM Morgan persuade me to relinquish the NDC Senatorial ticket to him so that he could contest the 2027 election on the platform of the NDC,” Ogbole stated.

He added that AVM Morgan declined to make such a decision independently and advised that other elders and stakeholders of the party in Benue South should be consulted.

Ogbole said a subsequent meeting was therefore held on Sunday, July 12, at Stratton Hotel, Area 11, Abuja, with AVM Morgan, Barr. Jacob Ajene, Prof. Isaac Onyike, Chief Noah Mac-Dickson, Ojay Iyanya, Daniel Onjeh and himself in attendance.

According to him, Onjeh repeated his request at the meeting, but he declined to surrender the ticket.

Ogbole said his decision was based on the fact that he had participated in the nomination process, contested for the ticket and emerged as the candidate.

‘No Money Was Offered or Demanded’

The NDC candidate categorically denied receiving, demanding or negotiating any monetary compensation for his ticket.

“At no point, in that meeting or anywhere else, was there any negotiation with me for a monetary settlement in exchange for my Senatorial ticket,” he said.

“No amount was offered to me. No amount was demanded by me. No monetary agreement was reached. No verbal settlement was entered into.”

Ogbole challenged Onjeh and anyone acting on his behalf to produce evidence supporting the allegation.

He called for the production of any document, recording, message, witness or other credible evidence showing that he received or agreed to receive money in exchange for relinquishing his ticket.

“My character is not a commodity. My mandate is not merchandise,” he declared.

Questions Substitution Process

Ogbole also questioned the process through which Onjeh was allegedly presented as a replacement for the candidate produced through the NDC’s nomination process.

He stated that the party’s Expression of Interest window closed on May 24, 2026, while the screening process ended on May 26.

He said the primary/consensus processes were conducted in Makurdi on May 27 and 28, after which the appeal process was concluded.

According to Ogbole, the NDC subsequently communicated its candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through a letter dated July 14, 2026, which he said was received and acknowledged by the electoral body on July 21.

He argued that any subsequent purported substitution should therefore be explained in terms of the authority, procedure and legal basis upon which it was carried out.

‘I Remain the Candidate Produced by the Process’

Ogbole maintained that he remains committed to the NDC senatorial mandate for Benue South and said he would defend what he described as his legitimate mandate through lawful means.

“I will not be bullied into surrendering what I legitimately won. I will not be blackmailed into silence,” he stated.

He further said his patience and preference for peaceful resolution should not be interpreted as weakness or surrender.

Addressing the people of Benue South, Ogbole declared that he had neither relinquished nor sold his senatorial ticket and had not received money to step aside.

He maintained that the Senate seat should be determined through a legitimate and transparent process rather than through alleged backroom arrangements.

“The Senate seat is not an inheritance. It is not a personal entitlement. And it certainly is not a commodity to be bought, sold or transferred in a backroom arrangement,” Ogbole said.

He concluded with a warning to those he believes may be attempting to undermine his candidacy, saying: “Whoever plans to steal the village drum must first consider where he intends to beat it.”

Pastor David Ogbole
NDC Senatorial Candidate, Benue South Senatorial District

#goviral #viralpost #PostViral #PoliticalNews