The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has launched a sweeping reconciliation process to mend cracks created by its recently concluded congresses and primaries, with party leaders warning that internal divisions must not derail what they described as a historic mission to rescue Nigeria from years of insecurity, economic hardship and poor governance.
The party inaugurated a 23-member National Reconciliation Committee in Abuja on Thursday, tasking it with reaching out to aggrieved aspirants, party leaders and stakeholders across the country to restore confidence and strengthen unity ahead of the 2027 general election.
Leading the committee are renowned political economist Prof. Pat Utomi as chairman and veteran politician Buba Galadima as co-chairman.
National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Cleopas Moses, admitted that the emergence of candidates through the party’s primaries had inevitably produced winners and disappointed aspirants but insisted that reconciliation had become a strategic necessity rather than a political option.
He said the committee’s assignment extends beyond resolving disputes to rebuilding trust among members whose expectations were not met during the nomination process.
“The assignment of this committee is not merely to settle disputes; it is to rebuild confidence,” he declared.
Moses acknowledged the difficult choices faced by the party leadership during the primaries, noting that several constituencies recorded dozens of qualified aspirants competing for a single ticket.
“Where 23 qualified aspirants are contesting for one ticket, once you give that ticket to one person, you have automatically made 22 enemies. That is the beauty and the irony of sitting on this side.”
Despite the disagreements, he maintained that those who failed to secure tickets remain valuable members of the party whose experience and political influence would be required for the campaigns ahead.
“The fact that only one candidate emerged in each contest does not diminish the leadership capacity and political value of the others.”
The NDC chairman painted a bleak picture of the nation’s condition, describing Nigeria as a country struggling under the weight of insecurity and economic decline.
“Nigeria is in a state of comatose. Even the pretenders know that Nigeria is in comatose.”
He lamented that farmers could no longer cultivate their lands safely while schoolchildren continued to face the threat of abduction, arguing that the country’s leadership had failed to demonstrate the political will required to tackle the crises.
According to him, the NDC was founded to offer Nigerians a credible alternative capable of reversing the country’s decline.
“That is why we describe the NDC as Noah’s Ark—to salvage this country.”
Moses also sought to redefine the party’s campaign ahead of the 2027 polls, saying its mission transcends the ambitions of individual politicians, including its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
“We are not fighting for Peter Obi alone. Peter Obi and Kwankwaso are symbols of hope. What we are truly fighting for is Nigeria.”
In his acceptance remarks, Prof. Pat Utomi said the reconciliation assignment was one of national importance because the country’s future depends on political leaders learning to rise above personal interests.
He blamed what he called the growing culture of political narcissism for weakening institutions and frustrating national development.
“This narcissism that’s eating up our political space has prevented us from remembering who we are as Africans.”
Utomi urged party members to embrace the African philosophy of Ubuntu, arguing that lasting progress can only be achieved when collective interests take precedence over personal ambitions.
He said the NDC must become a movement driven by ideas and the aspirations of young Nigerians rather than by competition for political offices.
“This party is going to be a party of the future focused on the young people of this country.”
He also reassured disappointed aspirants that participation in the party extends beyond securing nominations.
“There is nobody who has entered this process that will not have a place in building this great movement.”
On his part, Buba Galadima admitted that reconciling aggrieved members would be challenging but said the committee would rely on dialogue, persuasion and political experience to restore harmony within the party.
“It is going to be a very, very hard nut to crack. But we will try to be up to the task.”
Galadima argued that many of the conflicts arising from party primaries stem from structural defects in Nigeria’s Electoral Act, which he said makes peaceful candidate selection extremely difficult for opposition parties.
“The process of bringing out candidates in the Electoral Act is such that it is impossible for any opposition party, without rancour, to produce candidates.”
Drawing from his personal experience, he narrated how disputes from the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) primaries resulted in years of litigation and financial losses, saying unresolved internal crises often weaken opposition parties more than external attacks.
He appealed to dissatisfied aspirants to embrace patriotism and place the country’s future above personal ambitions.
“We will be resolute, patriotic and make sure that we persuade all those that felt aggrieved to look at the larger picture of Nigeria rather than individual ambition.”
The National Reconciliation Committee has been mandated to engage aggrieved aspirants, mediate disputes arising from the party’s congresses and primaries, recommend political and administrative measures for lasting peace, and integrate dissatisfied members into the NDC’s nationwide campaign structure before the official commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general election.