Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Nigeria Democratic Congress has begun a nationwide reconciliation process following its recently concluded primary elections, insisting that the exercise was conducted transparently and in line with the party’s constitution.
The move comes amid complaints from some aspirants and allegations of irregularities in the primaries, claims the party dismissed as unfounded and aimed at discrediting what it described as a successful electoral process.
In a statement titled “Understanding the Just Concluded NDC Primary Elections,” the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, said the National Executive Committee had approved measures to address grievances and strengthen unity among members ahead of future elections.
“As resolved at the NEC meeting, we now look forward to the commencement of a comprehensive reconciliation process.
“We count on our 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,” he said.
Enekweizu maintained that the NDC did not impose candidates at any stage of the primaries, stressing that aspirants were encouraged to engage party structures and stakeholders in their respective states.
“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 stated.
According to him, the party adopted a consultation-driven model that emphasised consensus building and stakeholder engagement, particularly in the South-East, where caucus leaders coordinated discussions and made recommendations based on local political realities.
He identified the regional leaders involved in the process as Chief Onyema Ugochukwu in Abia State, former Governor Sam Egwu in Ebonyi, former Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo in Enugu, former Governor Achike Udenwa in Imo, while the political structure of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, oversaw activities in Anambra State.
The Party’s Scribe said aspirants who were dissatisfied with recommendations emerging from consultations were given the opportunity to seek support through the democratic process at the grassroots level.
He acknowledged that some contestants had prematurely declared themselves candidates, while others raised concerns about aspects of the exercise, noting that such complaints had been referred to the party’s Appeal Panel and leadership for review.
Enekweizu added that since receiving its certificate of registration on February 5, 2026, the NDC had built structures across the country, convened two National Executive Committee meetings and successfully conducted presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly primaries.
He further claimed that the party had grown rapidly and now ranks among the leading political parties in the country based on its representation in the National Assembly.
