***Says consultations—not imposition—produced candidates nationwide
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has mounted a robust defence of its recently concluded primaries, rejecting allegations of candidate imposition and electoral irregularities while insisting that its nomination process was driven by extensive consultations, grassroots participation and broad stakeholder consensus.
In what appears to be a direct response to growing complaints from some aggrieved aspirants and party members, the NDC said attempts to discredit the outcome of its presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly primaries were either rooted in a misunderstanding of the party’s internal framework or deliberate efforts to undermine its rising political influence.
The party, in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, described the nationwide exercise as one of the most coordinated and peaceful primary processes conducted by any political party in recent years.
According to the NDC, its candidate selection process was deliberately structured around consultations and consensus-building to avoid the bitter divisions that often trail party primaries.
“The Nigeria Democratic Congress was founded on the principles of leadership, consultation, inclusiveness and consensus. These values guided every stage of our primary elections,” Enekweizu stated.
The party disclosed that rather than relying solely on centralized decision-making, it empowered respected political leaders and stakeholders across states to engage aspirants, conduct consultations and recommend candidates based on local political realities.
In the South-East, the NDC said the process was coordinated by a network of elder statesmen, former governors, ministers and senior party leaders who served as caucus heads and facilitated discussions among stakeholders before candidates emerged.
The party maintained that consensus was never forced on aspirants and that those dissatisfied with recommendations were free to test their popularity through established democratic mechanisms.
“No candidate was imposed by the National Secretariat. Every aspirant had equal opportunity to participate and engage party members at the grassroots level,” the statement said.
The NDC also highlighted what it described as deliberate efforts to deepen inclusion by encouraging greater participation of women and supporting serving lawmakers seeking to retain their mandates.
While acknowledging that disputes naturally arise in political contests, the party disclosed that all petitions and appeals arising from the primaries had been referred to appropriate internal organs for review.
To prevent lingering grievances from weakening party cohesion, the National Executive Committee has approved a nationwide reconciliation initiative aimed at bringing together aspirants, party leaders and supporters following the conclusion of the primaries.
“We are determined to heal divisions, strengthen unity and ensure that every member remains part of the larger mission of building a credible political alternative for Nigerians,” Enekweizu said.
The party further stressed that throughout the nomination process, the National Secretariat remained neutral, limiting its role to administration, compliance and oversight.
Founded only months ago after receiving its certificate of registration on February 5, 2026, the NDC said it has rapidly expanded its national footprint, established structures across the federation and successfully conducted primaries for virtually all major elective offices.
The party argued that its growing presence in the National Assembly and increasing nationwide acceptance have made it a major force in Nigeria’s political landscape, positioning it as a formidable contender ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For the NDC, the message is clear: despite pockets of dissent, the party believes its consensus-driven model has strengthened rather than weakened internal democracy—and that its focus has now shifted from primaries to reconciliation and preparation for the electoral battle ahead.