*Claims Second Largest Party In Nigeria
THE Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has downplayed allegations of irregularities and candidate imposition in its just-concluded presidential, national assembly, governorship and state houses of Assembly primaries.
NDC insisted that the primaries were conducted in line with the party’s constitution and established guidelines.
A statement by its National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, said negative narratives surrounding NDC’s primaries were largely the result of ignorance of the party’s procedures and deliberate attempts to undermine its growing popularity.
Enekweizu stated that the party should instead be commended for its innovative approach to conducting primaries, which placed significant emphasis on stakeholder consultations and consensus-building to minimise disputes and strengthen internal cohesion.
He said NDC’s founding principles are rooted in leadership, consultation, inclusiveness and consensus-building, and these values guided the conduct of the primaries across the country.
Enekweizu cited the Southeast as a key example of the party’s consultative approach, where the region’s leadership structure was anchored by respected elder statesmen and political leaders serving as caucus heads in their respective states.
He said the caucus leaders were tasked with conducting stakeholder consultations, building consensus and making recommendations based on the unique political realities of their states, while grassroots leaders and stakeholders also participated in the decision-making process
The party’s scribe stated that the arrangement did not deny any aspirant the right to contest, as those who disagreed with recommendations from stakeholders or caucus leaders were allowed to test their popularity through the democratic process at the grassroots level.
He insisted that the national secretariat was never involved in selecting or imposing candidates, as all aspirants were received and directed to engage with the relevant caucus leaders, stakeholders and party members in their respective states.
The statement noted that the party had implemented affirmative action measures to encourage greater female participation in elective offices and also sought to support serving members of parliament seeking re-election.
On concerns raised by some aspirants, Enekweizu said such complaints had been referred to the Appeal Panel and leadership for appropriate resolution, adding that the National Executive Committee (NEC) had resolved to commence a comprehensive reconciliation process to foster unity and strengthen cohesion among members and aspirants following the primaries.
He charged caucus leaders, state chairmen, stakeholders and party officials to engage all aspirants and members in the interest of party unity and continued growth, stressing that throughout the pre-primary period, the party consistently directed aspirants and stakeholders to their respective state caucus leaders for guidance, consultations and dispute resolution, in line with its commitment to internal democracy, inclusiveness and respect for established leadership structures.
Enekweizu insisted that the party’s role during the period was to welcome new members and prospective aspirants, assure them of fairness and transparency and direct them to the appropriate structures for participation in the electoral process.
The NDC, which formally received its certificate of registration on February 5, this year, said it has within a short period established constitutional party structures from the ward to the national level, convened two NEC meetings and successfully conducted nationwide primaries for presidential, national assembly, governorship and state assembly positions, making it the second-largest political party in the country, based on its representation in the National Assembly.
