Crisis In NDC Over Primaries, Members Question Credibility

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is facing internal turmoil following allegations of manipulation in its recently concluded primaries in Imo State. The controversy threatens to weaken the party’s credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Former House of Representatives member, Uche Nwole, raised the alarm over what he described as a hijack of the process by powerful interests. Nwole, who represented Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency between 1999 and 2003, accused party stakeholders of undermining internal democracy and imposing candidates.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Nwole explained that his return to active politics was driven by concerns about Nigeria’s democratic future. He said he joined the NDC because of its vision and leadership, expressing confidence in the presidential candidacy of Peter Obi. However, he warned that the Imo primaries had been compromised.

According to Nwole, the panel sent from the party headquarters to supervise the exercise, led by Chief Babatunde Are, was allegedly prevented from performing its duties. He claimed the panel was influenced by a prominent stakeholder and failed to oversee the primaries, leaving local officials to conduct the process.

He alleged that aspirants mobilised for the primaries, but the panel did not appear at designated venues. Local government party executives stepped in to collate results, which were later submitted through official channels. Those results, however, were reportedly rejected at the national level in favour of what Nwole described as “parallel results.”

The former lawmaker questioned the growing influence of one individual over the party’s affairs in Imo State. He warned that such dominance could erode trust in the NDC and damage its electoral prospects.

“We cannot allow democracy to be hijacked by any individual. Political parties must remain institutions governed by rules and collective decisions, not personal interests,” Nwole said.

He revealed that he and other aspirants had petitioned the party’s national leadership, demanding a review of the primaries and clarification on the legitimacy of the results. The petition alleged that no properly supervised election took place and called for verification of claims that party structures in the state were under the control of a single stakeholder.

Nwole urged the leadership to investigate the conduct of the primaries, ensure due process, and address grievances among aspirants. He warned that failure to resolve the crisis could undermine public confidence in the NDC’s commitment to internal democracy.

He insisted that his intervention was not aimed at destabilising the party but at strengthening it. “Fairness, transparency, and justice are the only ways to sustain confidence among members and the electorate,” he said.

The petition also highlighted concerns that disputed results and parallel submissions could fracture the party’s unity in Imo State. Stakeholders argued that only a transparent process would guarantee credible candidates and preserve the NDC’s relevance in the 2027 elections.

The crisis underscores the broader challenge of internal democracy in Nigerian political parties. As the NDC positions itself as an alternative force ahead of 2027, resolving the Imo primaries dispute will be critical to its credibility and ability to mobilise support nationwide.