By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has launched a nationwide reconciliation process to heal divisions arising from its recently concluded primary elections, setting up a high-powered committee to reconcile aggrieved aspirants and consolidate the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party announced the constitution of a seven-member National Reconciliation Committee chaired by renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, with veteran politician Engr. Buba Galadima serving as co-chairman.
The committee is expected to commence consultations with aggrieved aspirants, party leaders and stakeholders immediately after its inauguration on Thursday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
In a statement jointly signed by the National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses, and the National Secretary, Mr Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the party said the reconciliation initiative was designed to resolve disputes generated by the primaries and strengthen internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 polls.
Other members of the committee include Mohammed Sanni Takori as Vice Chairman, Babatunde Alli as Secretary, Mrs Dudu Mamman Manuga, Hon. Salvador Adegoke Moshood and Alhaji Haruna Pai.
To deepen the reconciliation effort, the NDC also constituted three zonal reconciliation sub-committees for the North, South-South and South-East geopolitical zones to complement the work of the national panel.
The move came amid growing efforts by the party to close ranks following disagreements that trailed its primary elections and prepare for what it described as a united campaign ahead of the next general election.
Meanwhile, candidates whose names were recently published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) praised the party’s National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, for stabilising the party during the nomination process.
They commended Dickson for managing post-primary disagreements with transparency and maturity while rejecting allegations that party tickets were sold to the highest bidders.
The party’s candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District, former Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, described Dickson’s leadership as pivotal during one of the party’s most challenging periods.
She appealed to unsuccessful aspirants not to abandon the party, stressing that democratic contests naturally produce winners and losers.
According to her, those who lost at the primaries should remain committed to the NDC and work for its victory in 2027, noting that today’s unsuccessful aspirants could emerge as tomorrow’s candidates.
Some unsuccessful aspirants also dismissed claims that party tickets were monetised, insisting that although the primaries were not perfect, they ranked among the most transparent conducted by any political party.
A House of Representatives aspirant based in Canada said Dickson spent months engaging aggrieved aspirants and party stakeholders in reconciliation rather than interfering in the conduct of the primaries.
Similarly, an Edo State aspirant said his several meetings with Dickson and other party leaders never centred on financial inducements, describing allegations of ticket sales as unfounded.
Also lending his voice, an unsuccessful Imo State aspirant, Mazi Nnamdi Dickson Iroegbu, whose name was omitted from the final INEC list, urged his supporters to move beyond the outcome of the primaries and rally behind the party.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Iroegbu congratulated successful candidates and reaffirmed his loyalty to the NDC, urging members nationwide to remain united as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
The reconciliation drive also comes against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding the Edo South Senatorial District nomination.
The party reaffirmed that Mrs Epelle-Asemota Bridgitte Osayuki remains its authentic candidate for the district despite discrepancies in the particulars published by INEC.
According to the NDC, while the electoral commission correctly published her name, it erroneously attached another aspirant’s photograph and credentials to her particulars.
Describing the incident as an embarrassing mix-up allegedly caused by “mischievous elements” within the electoral commission, the party insisted that the lawful candidate submitted to INEC remains Mrs Epelle-Asemota.
It explained that sponsorship of candidates is determined by the official submission of names to INEC in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Act, adding that the successful upload of Mrs Epelle-Asemota’s details constitutes the valid act of nomination.
The party consequently called on INEC to explain how the discrepancy occurred and correct the anomaly without delay.
The NDC also condemned attempts by some political actors to ethnicise the Edo South controversy, insisting that Mrs Epelle-Asemota is constitutionally qualified and politically eligible to contest the election.
It cited her public service experience, previous participation as the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 election and her family ties to Benin as evidence of her eligibility.
Reaffirming its commitment to promoting women, youths and other underrepresented groups, the party urged members across the country to channel all grievances through the reconciliation committee rather than allow internal disagreements to undermine preparations for the 2027 elections.
According to the NDC, disagreements after party primaries are common in democratic politics and, when properly managed, can ultimately strengthen party unity, internal democracy and electoral success.
