NDC National Leadership Rejects Omogeye’s Second-Term Ambition Over Poor Performance, Urges Him to Test Popularity in Magodo
Available information from the national leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress shows that they have declined support for the second-term ambition of Hon George Olawande, the current Representative of Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, following mounting concerns over what party stakeholders described as chronic underperformance, weak constituency presence, and sustained rejection from grassroots members.
The decision, according to senior party sources, follows a wave of petitions, consultations, and formal complaints submitted by stakeholders across Amuwo Odofin calling on the party’s national leadership to protect internal democracy and prevent what they described as any attempt to reward failure with a second-term ticket. Party insiders disclosed that after reviewing multiple reports concerning Hon. Olawande’s stewardship since assuming office, the leadership resolved that the lawmaker has failed to meet the performance benchmarks expected of a federal representative.
A senior official at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, who spoke under anonymity, stated that the leadership could not ignore the “persistent and overwhelming dissatisfaction” expressed by constituents.
“The Nigeria Democratic Congress is a people-driven party. We cannot, in good conscience, impose or endorse any candidate whose representation has attracted widespread criticism and whose performance record falls below acceptable standards,” the source said.
According to party assessments, key concerns raised against Hon. Olawande include:
Lack of visible constituency development projects;
Poor accessibility to constituents;
Failure to establish a functional constituency office within Amuwo Odofin;
Weak legislative advocacy on issues affecting the constituency;
Minimal grassroots political engagement;
Disconnect from the day-to-day realities of residents.
The leadership was also said to have taken note of repeated complaints regarding the lawmaker’s residential and business ties to Magodo, where he is alleged to reside and maintain his primary business interests. In what many political observers consider a symbolic rebuke, party stakeholders reportedly advised the embattled lawmaker to redirect his political ambitions to Magodo in Kosofe Federal Constituency, if he believes he commands genuine grassroots support there.
“If Hon. George Olawande truly believes in his political relevance, he should test that popularity where he lives, where he does business, and where he maintains daily contact with the people. Representation is about connection, not convenience,” one stakeholder leader stated.
The national leadership’s position is believed to have been influenced by sustained agitation from grassroots coordinators, youth leaders, women groups, ward executives, and party faithful who insisted that Amuwo Odofin cannot afford another cycle of what they described as ineffective representation.
Stakeholders argued that the lawmaker’s emergence during the previous election was largely driven by the broader electoral momentum generated by Mr Peter Obi and national political sentiment at the time, rather than any established grassroots political structure or personal performance record.
A source close to the National Working Committee disclosed that the party is now focused on ensuring a transparent and competitive candidate selection process ahead of the 2027 general election.
“The era of automatic tickets and political entitlement is over. Every aspirant must subject themselves to transparent scrutiny based on competence, integrity, constituency connection, and measurable impact,” the source said.
The leadership reiterated its commitment to internal democracy and assured party members in Amuwo Odofin that the constituency would be given the opportunity to produce a candidate capable of restoring confidence, strengthening grassroots mobilisation, and delivering effective representation.
Political analysts say the development signals a significant shift within the NDC as the party seeks to rebuild public trust and strengthen its electoral chances through merit-based candidate emergence. For many residents and party faithful in Amuwo Odofin, the rejection of Hon. Olawande’s second-term ambition is being viewed as a decisive response to the growing demand for accountable, accessible, and result-oriented leadership.
