The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed allegations of irregularities and candidate imposition trailing its nationwide primary elections, while simultaneously setting up a high-level reconciliation process to unite dissatisfied members.
The strategy was finalised during the party’s second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and made public via a statement signed on Friday, by the NDC National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu.
Following the conclusion of its presidential, gubernatorial, National and State Assembly primaries last weekend, several aspirants publicly criticised the exercises.
Critics alleged that the process was marred by manipulation and undemocratic impositions.
Rejecting these claims, the NDC national secretariat maintained that the complaints stemmed from a fundamental misunderstanding of the party’s constitutional guidelines.
The leadership explained that the party intentionally adopted a consensus-building approach, relying heavily on stakeholder dialogue and regional caucuses to minimise friction.
To manage this structure in the South-East, the party tasked prominent regional leaders and stakeholders with coordinating local consultations.
The designated state coordinators include Chief Onyema Ugochukwu for Abia State, former Governor Sam Egwu for Ebonyi State, former Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo for Enugu State, and former Governor Achike Udenwa for Imo State. The coordinator for Anambra State is yet to be named.
Coordinated directly through the political structure of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The party emphasised that any aspirant who felt uncomfortable with the recommendations made by these regional caucuses was given full liberty to test their popularity through a democratic vote at the grassroots level.
The NDC leadership denied intervening in the selection of candidates, clarifying that its national office has never been in the business of handpicking flagbearers.
The party stated that its National Secretariat had never been involved in picking, choosing, or imposing candidates on any constituency or stateHe added that the selection process was handled without bias.
The party noted that instances of aspirants prematurely declaring themselves winners, alongside other technical grievances, have been formally referred to the party’s internal Appeal Panel.
Furthermore, the party reaffirmed its commitment to its affirmative action policy to boost female representation, as well as its standing policy of supporting incumbent lawmakers seeking re-election.
The NDC highlighted its historic trajectory since receiving its official certificate of registration on February 5, 2026. Within a four-month window, the party has established administrative structures from the ward level up to the national headquarters, convened two NEC meetings, and successfully executed a complete suite of nationwide primaries.
Backed by its current numerical strength and representation within the National Assembly, the NDC declared that it has officially emerged as Nigeria’s second-largest political party.
The leadership urged all state chairmen, caucus coordinators, and party faithful to fully support the newly mandated reconciliation panels, emphasising that unity is paramount to sustaining the party’s rapid political momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
