A peep into the happenings in the NDC, after primary elections
When the Nigeria Democratic Congress, (NDC), came into existence, many Nigerians rushed into the party, buoyed by the involvement of Peter Obi and national leader Senator Seriake Dickson, an eight-year former governor of Bayelsa now serving in the 10th Senate. The party was expected to correct anomalies and deliver leadership by consent of the people. But since the primaries, a lot has happened, leaving members disappointed and the opposition alliance shaken, writes Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Abuja
The euphoria that greeted NDC’s birth is now giving way to internal turbulence. With Obi’s credibility and Dickson’s political experience at the helm, expectations were high that the party would set a new standard for internal democracy. The post-primary period has tested that promise.
The first crack appeared in Kano, where former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso reportedly threatened to leave NDC after the party replaced several Kwankwasiyya faction candidates. The replacements were to enforce a pre-agreed 60/40 power-sharing formula that favoured Kwankwasiyya at 60%.
According to a Dailypost report citing a document signed by Kano State NDC Chairman Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga, the changes were made to reflect the earlier agreement on distribution of party positions and elective tickets between the existing NDC structure and the Kwankwasiyya bloc.
Adjustments were made to Kano State House of Assembly tickets in Dala, Tarauni, Kumbotso, Ungogo, and Dawakin Kudu constituencies. NDC insists there was a standing 60-40 agreement, with Kwankwasiyya taking 60% and the original structure retaining 40%.
Despite the Kano fallout, Obi moved to solidify the alliance on May 31, officially naming Kwankwaso as his Vice Presidential candidate for 2027. The announcement confirmed a major realignment, positioning both as the party’s presidential and vice-presidential ticket.
With Obi and Kwankwaso set to jointly lead NDC’s campaign, the pairing was hailed as one of the most significant opposition alliances ahead of 2027, combining two blocs with strong national support bases and reshaping early expectations for the contest.
That momentum has since been undercut by severe political panic in the NWC after Kwankwaso’s conspicuous absence from a vital NEC meeting. His absence fueled intense rumours of an imminent exit and triggered friction between Obi’s faction and Kwankwaso’s “Red Cap” movement.
As unease mounts over a potential split, sources say Obi’s camp is weighing emergency contingency strategies. He is reportedly considering replacing Kwankwaso’s slot with a local security strategist who advised him on community-policing frameworks during his tenure as Anambra governor.
Political observers see Kwankwaso’s absence from the high-level meeting as a major warning sign. Relations between the two factions have grown strained after unannounced primary processes where Kwankwaso’s loyalists dominated legislative tickets while Obi’s preferred candidates were sidelined.
For the “Red Cap” movement, Kwankwaso holds undisputed control over the core Northern voter base. His potential departure threatens to collapse NDC’s geographic spread, leaving the party vulnerable ahead of the next election cycle.
The strain is not limited to the vice-presidential slot. Obi’s presidential ambition is reportedly hanging in the balance after he threatened to abandon NDC over deep-seated corruption and structural irregularities marring the nomination processes.
Sources close to leadership say Obi expressed disgust behind closed doors, describing the handling of primaries as careless, compromised, and embarrassing to his political brand. He now faces a dilemma: accept a compromised ticket or forfeit his run.
A highly placed insider alleges that established actors have turned NDC into a commercial venture. “Nomination forms and party tickets are being auctioned to the highest bidders, with zero regard for competence, track record, or constitutional qualifications,” the source said.
“The entire process leading up to candidate selection has been entirely corrupted. People who have no business holding public office are buying their way through, disregarding the core values Peter Obi stands for. It has turned into a pure marketplace,” the insider added.
The crisis has manifested as administrative anarchy in key states. In Edo, multiple nomination forms were allegedly issued to different aspirants for the same legislative seats, creating parallel contestants. Edo South aspirant Hon. Ehiozuwa Agbonayinwa publicly regretted joining the party.
In Anambra, outrage followed reports that nomination forms and tickets were handed out secretly to favored aspirants without the party concluding or publishing primary results. Participants were left in the dark, fueling accusations of “daylight robbery” by the high command.
These developments highlight a challenge for emerging platforms: balancing rapid growth with strict internal democratic standards. When interest surges, candidate selection mechanisms often buckle under pressure, analysts say.
Across regions, lack of transparency in primary results has disenfranchised aspirants. Observers cite this as a major driver of post-primary litigation that drains party resources and distracts from general election campaigning.
Former Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission chairman Dr Sam Amadi added his voice in an X post, congratulating Obi on clearance but warning that “NDC has a lot of terrible people in leadership that will not make it a great vehicle of change. These corrupt guys are just exploiting aspirants.”
As of this report, official party representatives maintain a reserved stance, saying internal reviews of nomination processes are ongoing. For a movement built on integrity, how NDC resolves these disputes will likely determine its long-term viability and readiness to manage public office.
