NDC Defends Party Primaries, Rejects Candidate Imposition Claims
By: Abudu Olalekan
Still standing by its primary elections, NDC brushes off claims of pushing candidates through. The party says openness shaped every step, with members involved deeply throughout. Decisions came from discussion inside the ranks, not orders from above.
Wrong claims about the NDC’s recent vote have been spreading. Though some say the process was flawed, others insist it followed proper steps. Despite whispers of forced choices, party insiders argue members had real input. A few voices questioned fairness, yet those involved stood by the results. Not everyone agreed on what happened behind closed doors. Still, organizers maintain transparency guided each stage. Rumors floated around, but officials pointed to verified procedures. Some doubted, while others saw legitimacy throughout.
On Thursday in Abuja, Morgan Enekweizu – national secretary of the party – spoke about backlash tied to recent primaries for president, National Assembly, governors, and state Houses of Assembly. Misreading the party’s own rules and internal policies explains most of the complaints, he noted. While some accusations aren’t just misunderstandings, they’re shaped by intent – to drag down an organization building strength nationwide.
What if the primaries were viewed differently. Instead of drawing backlash, they could show how agreement takes shape through conversation. Enekweizu suggested that behind the scenes, careful steps were taken. A method was chosen on purpose, one meant to ease tensions. This approach also aimed at bringing people inside the group closer together.
“The NDC, the fastest-growing political party in Nigeria, is built on consultation, inclusiveness, leadership, and consensus,” he stated.
From the South-East came proof, he said, of the method in motion. Though some voiced concerns, Enekweizu saw it differently – there, things had moved with fewer hitches than expected.
He said Peter Obi, their pick for president, came into the NDC backed by a ready network of known figures and seasoned politicians – these people now lead regional groups within the party.
Among them are Chief Onyema Udochi of Abia, once-governor Sam Egwu from Ebonyi, Okwesilieze Nwodo who led Enugu and chaired PDP before stepping down, Achike Udenwa formerly at the helm in Imo, along with those guiding Obi’s efforts across Anambra.
From his point of view, the job of these caucus leaders involved reaching out to many people, taking stock of how things stood politically in their states, then offering suggestions shaped by what they learned.
Yet he made clear that candidates could stay involved even if they questioned the advice given.
“They were free to test their popularity through the democratic process at the grassroots level, and that opportunity was fully available to them,” he said.
It was his claim that the NDC national leadership had no hand in picking or forcing candidates onto any region or local area.
“At no point did the national secretariat engage in picking or imposing candidates. Every aspirant who came to the party was welcomed and directed to work through the recognised caucus leaders, stakeholders, and grassroots structures in their state,” he added.
Women now step forward more often because of the NDC’s approach, pointed out the party secretary. Support systems grow alongside their presence in office.
Not everyone joined, but each candidate who bought the form showed up using official state routes instead of shortcuts. Party pathways guided their steps along known paths rather than wild guesses.
Even though a few hopefuls stepped forward too soon, Enekweizu noted people had spoken up about parts of the primary process. Some questioned whether things moved fairly once names started appearing early. The party’s leaders took time later to go over complaints. Their Appeal Panel looked into what happened. Matters didn’t stay unexamined for long after that.
Now that voting finishes, eyes shift toward mending fences within the group.
Out of Wednesday’s NEC gathering came decisions that will shape how party figures nationwide reach out to hopefuls and rank-and-file, nudging things toward cohesion where tensions still flicker. Enekweizu pointed out these moves aim to smooth over old friction through conversation rather than wait for sparks to flare again.
“We are counting on our caucus leaders, stakeholders, state chairmen, and party leaders to bring everyone together in the interest of cohesion and the continued growth of the party,” he said.
From start to finish, those stepping forward found themselves guided back to local gatherings any time questions popped up. Each concern got handled nearer to where people live because state meetings took charge when needed. Decisions stayed grounded since feedback always looped back to familiar spaces.
He saw it like this – the job of national leaders came down to opening doors for newcomers, keeping things honest and clear, then making sure each person took part the right way, through official channels.
“That approach reflects our commitment to consultation, internal democracy, respect for established leadership, and the collective pursuit of progress,” he said.
On February 5, 2026, the NDC was issued its official registration document. After that date, according to the party, systems took shape starting at the local ward up through national layers. Meetings of the top leadership happened twice so far. Across the entire country, candidate selection votes were completed without major issues.
Now ranking second nationwide, the party says its seat count in the National Assembly shows how much it has expanded.
