The National Democratic Congress, NDC, is currently battling growing internal tensions.
The development followed the party’s nationwide primary elections held on May 29 ahead of the 2027 general elections, with disputes over candidates selection, delayed release of results, and allegations of manipulation threatening to overshadow the party’s rapid rise as a major opposition force.
Recall that one week after the primaries, the party’s National Executive Committee announced that it had ratified and endorsed the outcome of the exercise.
However, DAILY POST reports that the official results have yet to be released, fueling speculation, mistrust, and open disagreements among party stakeholders across the country.
At the centre of the crisis is Kano State, where members of the ‘Kwankwasiya Movement’ and legacy NDC officials have clashed over allegations that supporters of former Kano State Governor and NDC vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, dominated the nomination process.
The dispute intensified after an unofficial list of purported candidates circulated on social media, prompting concerns among party members who accused influential figures of attempting to influence the outcome of the primaries.
Also, in the South-East, members of the ‘Obidient Movement are grumbling over what they described as maltreatment of aspirants.
Aspirants alleged they were deceived into paying millions of Naira contrary to the directive of the leadership of the NDC.
No list of candidates yet – Party insists
In response to the growing discontent in the party, NDC insisted that it had not released any official results of its primary elections in Kano State or any other part of the country.
In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Osas Director, the NDC urged members and the public to disregard any purported list of candidates currently in circulation.
The clarification came after a closed-door reconciliation meeting involving leaders of the Kwankwasiya Movement and long-standing NDC officials in Kano State.
According to Director, the meeting was facilitated by the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, and other members of the national leadership as part of efforts to strengthen inclusion and maintain internal democracy.
“The NDC leadership will not impose candidates in Kano State or anywhere in the country,” Director said, adding that the party remained committed to transparent and democratic processes.
He described the discussions as productive and expressed confidence that the issues would be resolved through dialogue.
Kwankwaso reportedly threatens to leave NDC
Reports indicate that Kwankwaso has threatened to leave the party amid accusations by senior NDC officials that he is attempting to take full control of the party’s structure in Kano State.
According to party sources, a power-sharing arrangement brokered by Dickson when Kwankwaso joined the NDC allocated 60 per cent of the party structure in Kano to the Kwankwasiya Movement and 40 per cent to the existing party leadership.
However, state party leaders alleged that the agreement was abandoned once the nomination process commenced.
NDC North-West Vice Chairman, Mohammed Rabiu Serina, and Kano State Chairman, Hussaini Isa Mariga, claimed that nomination forms for key elective positions were allegedly distributed exclusively among Kwankwaso’s loyalists, leaving many longstanding party members sidelined.
The disagreement escalated after the Kano leadership reportedly replaced several candidates nominated by the Kwankwasiya Movement and submitted a revised list to the national leadership.
Kwankwaso is said to have rejected the changes, insisting on the original nominations and warning that he could quit the party if the revised list is upheld.
Enugu youths storm NDC headquarters, warn against imposition
A group under the aegis of Concerned Youths of Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu state has staged a peaceful protest at the headquarters of the National Democratic Coalition, NDC, demanding transparency and fairness in the party’s candidate selection process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The protesters, carrying placards with various inscriptions, urged the party leadership to ensure that only credible, competent and widely accepted candidates emerge to represent the party in future elections.
Speaking during the protest, the convener of the group, Ejiribeofor Omeke, said the demonstration was aimed at protecting the interests of both the party and the people of Nsukka.
“We are calling on the NDC leadership to be straightforward and transparent in selecting candidates. Once candidates are imposed, it often leads to failure. The people of Nsukka want candidates who are grounded, widely accepted and capable of defending their interests.
“Our protest is in the interest of the NDC in Nsukka Local Government. We are passionate supporters of the party in Nsukka,” Omeke said.
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