By Henry Umoru, ABUJA
The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has begun a reconciliation process for all aggrieved members arising from the conduct of its primary elections held across the country last weekend.
The NDC has stepped in to heal the rift and unite everyone again, a decision it reached at its 2nd NEC meeting, while also clarifying reports about the imposition of candidates.
Recall that some aspirants of the party have flayed the primary polls, claiming that the recently concluded presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and State Houses of Assembly primaries were laden with irregularities and deliberately manipulated. They also accused the NDC of compromising the elections, maintaining it has led to an internal crisis within the party.
In a statement on Friday and signed by Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the party’s National Secretary, the NDC has defended its recently concluded presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and State Houses of Assembly primaries that were conducted, saying that it is not true that they were fraught with irregularities and alleged imposition of candidates.
The NDC said that the wrong narrative about its otherwise overwhelmingly successful primary elections nationwide was largely informed by both ignorance of the new party’s constitution and established guidelines and outright mischief by those who are intimidated by the NDC’s fast-rising profile.
According to the party, it adopted an innovative approach that prioritized consensus-building and stakeholder consultations to minimize disputes and strengthen internal cohesion, adding that the process was particularly effective in the South-East, where caucus leaders and political stakeholders were tasked with coordinating consultations and making recommendations based on the political realities of their respective states.
The party identified the South-East caucus leaders as Chief Onyema Ugochukwu (Abia), former Governor Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), former Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo (Enugu), and former Governor Achike Udenwa (Imo), while the structure of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, coordinated activities in Anambra State.
Enekweizu, who explained that aspirants who disagreed with recommendations made by caucus leaders or stakeholders were free to test their popularity through the democratic process at the grassroots level, said, “At no time has the NDC National Secretariat been involved in the business of picking, choosing, or imposing candidates on any constituency or state.”
He added that all aspirants who approached the party were directed to engage with caucus leaders, stakeholders, and grassroots members in their states, stressing that the process was conducted without prejudice to any aspirant…
The statement, titled “Understanding the Just Concluded NDC Primary Elections,” read, “The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has put a lie to insinuations that its recently concluded presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and State Houses of Assembly primaries were fraught with irregularities and alleged imposition of candidates.”
“The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the fastest-growing political party in Nigeria, is founded on the principles of leadership, consultation, inclusiveness, and consensus-building.
“In the South-East geopolitical zone, our presidential candidate, His Excellency Peter Obi, came into the party with an established leadership structure comprising respected elder statesmen and political leaders who serve as caucus heads in their respective states.
The caucus leaders are:
• Abia State—Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, respected veteran journalist and former chairman of the NDDC Board.
• Ebonyi State—His Excellency Dr. Sam Egwu, former Ebonyi State Governor, former Minister, and former Senator.
• Enugu State—His Excellency Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Enugu Governor, former National Secretary, and former National Chairman of the PDP.
• Imo State—His Excellency Chief Achike Udenwa, former governor and former federal minister.
• Anambra State—Since His Excellency Peter Obi is our presidential candidate, his team coordinates the process in his home state, Anambra.
“In line with its affirmative action policy, the party has demonstrated a commitment to encouraging and supporting female participation in elective office and has done so in some cases. The party has also expressed an interest in protecting and supporting serving members of parliament. Beyond these considerations, all aspirants were referred to their state caucus leaders, and all those who bought Expression of Interest Forms were asked to go into the field and participate in the primaries. We are aware of reports of some aspirants prematurely declaring themselves as candidates, as well as complaints raised by others regarding aspects of the process. These issues have been brought to the attention of the Appeal Panel and the leadership of the party and have been addressed accordingly.
“As resolved at yesterday’s NEC meeting, we now look forward to the commencement of a comprehensive reconciliation process. We count on our esteemed caucus leaders, state chairmen, stakeholders, and party leaders to engage all aspirants and members in the interest of unity, cohesion, and the continued growth of our party.
“For this reason, throughout the past several months, whenever aspirants or stakeholders approached the party regarding elective positions, we consistently referred them to their respective state caucus leaders. Likewise, those with concerns or grievances were advised to channel such matters through their caucuses for resolution.”
The NDC Secretary said the party’s role during this period has been to receive new members and prospective aspirants into the NDC, welcome them to the party, reassure them of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and inclusiveness, and direct them to engage with their respective caucus leaders for guidance and participation in the process.”
“This approach,” he said, “reflects our unwavering commitment to consultation, respect for established leadership structures, internal democracy, and the collective pursuit of unity and progress within the party.”
“The NDC, which formally received its certificate of registration on February 5, 2026, has, within 90 days, been able to put in place much of the constitutional party structures from the ward to the national levels, held two National Executive Committee meetings, and organized a nationwide presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and state assembly primaries. It is said to now be the second largest party in the country, by virtue of its representation at the National Assembly.”
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