By David Lawani, Abuja
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced tougher screening measures for aspirants seeking elective offices on its platform ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying the move is aimed at preventing opportunistic politicians from exploiting the popularity of leading opposition figures.
The party said lessons from the 2023 elections, particularly the wave of defections that followed opposition parties’ victories, informed its decision to tighten internal checks on aspirants.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television, NDC spokesman Osa Director said the party would no longer tolerate politicians seeking tickets merely to ride on the growing popularity of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“We have learnt from the incident of the past that happened in the Labour Party, and that was why during our screening, we took particular special notice of the fact that a lot of people, especially people from the diaspora who have never participated in politics, rushed to get a form under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC),” Director said.
“As you have said, [they did so] probably to ride on the Obi-Kwankwaso wave and also because they see that the NDC is a vibrant alternative platform to the mess we’re having in the country today, and we are conscious of all that.”
According to him, the party has already begun implementing stricter vetting procedures to determine the political background, grassroots support and ideological commitment of aspirants before granting tickets.
“Even during the screening, most of them were asked all those questions [about their vision and credentials], so they know. And if you are not on the ground. Who is going to vote for you?” he stated.
The development comes amid fresh political alignments and coalition talks ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties intensifying efforts to build stronger structures capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Obi contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, while Kwankwaso flew the flag of the New Nigeria Peoples Party. Both parties witnessed an influx of aspirants during the build-up to the polls, including several relatively unknown politicians.
However, many elected officials later defected to the APC, sparking criticism over the absence of ideological loyalty within the opposition ranks.
The Director said the NDC was determined not to repeat such mistakes.
“So, flowing from that experience, the NDC has also told all the aspirants that it is not going to be business as usual. We are going to check your pedigree,” he said.
“If you don’t have a verifiable pedigree and commitment to the party, to the principles and values that the party is espousing, then you are not going to pick a ticket and fly the flag of the NDC. So, we are learning from the mistakes of the past.”
Political analysts say the stricter screening policy may shape the quality of aspirants emerging from opposition parties ahead of what is expected to be an intense 2027 electoral contest.
