NDC Plans Post-Primary Reconciliation to Unite Party Ahead of 2027 Polls

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to roll out a post-primary reconciliation process aimed at healing internal divisions and strengthening unity within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Party leaders say the initiative is designed to address grievances arising from its recently concluded primaries and to prevent possible defections among aggrieved aspirants.

The plan was disclosed on Wednesday during the party’s second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, where top leaders called for calm, patience, and renewed commitment to the party’s collective goals.

Addressing party members, the National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, acknowledged concerns raised by some aspirants over the conduct and outcome of the primaries but maintained that the party has established internal mechanisms to resolve disputes.

He urged members who were unsuccessful in securing tickets to remain loyal to the party, stressing that their contributions remain valuable to its growth.

“I call on all aspirants… most of you have proven yourselves as financial members and stakeholders of the party,” Dickson said.

He added that political setbacks should be seen as temporary, encouraging members to remain focused on long-term party objectives.

“Even if the outcome has not been favourable to you, take it that you may have lost today and win tomorrow. In whatever has happened, it is the party that has won,” he said.

Dickson disclosed that a structured reconciliation programme would soon be unveiled to foster unity and consolidate internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.

He also directed state and zonal leaders to immediately begin engagement with stakeholders to address grievances and rebuild trust within party structures.

According to him, the party is also introducing reforms to deepen transparency, including plans to adopt electronic voting for future congresses and primaries.

He said the recently concluded primaries would be the last conducted through manual processes, adding that the party was committed to modernising its internal electoral system.

“In the next couple of months, we shall unveil our platform for electronic voting for all offices, congresses and primaries in the NDC,” Dickson stated.

He commended party officials for successfully conducting nationwide primaries despite the party’s relatively short existence, noting that the exercise covered multiple elective positions across the country.

The National Chairman of the party, Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, also praised members for what he described as the rapid growth and organisation of the NDC.

He said the party had recorded significant milestones within a short period, including membership registration, congresses, conventions, and primaries conducted without major disruptions.

“We had membership registration, congresses, conventions and primaries within two to three months. This is not normal,” Zuwoghe said.

He likened the party’s journey to “Noah’s Ark,” expressing confidence that it would remain focused on its mission of political transformation and national development.

Also speaking at the meeting, the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, appealed to aggrieved aspirants to show restraint and embrace dialogue in the interest of unity.

“Please, I am begging all of us to be tolerant and sacrifice as we go through this,” Obi said.

He assured members that the NDC would promote inclusivity if given the mandate to govern, adding that the party would strive to ensure that all members feel valued.

“We will continue to be a party of difference… when we have the opportunity to form government, we will show that everybody will be accommodated,” he added.

The NDC said the reconciliation plan would form a key part of its broader strategy to consolidate internal cohesion and position the party for the 2027 general elections.