NDC Faces Internal Storm as Primary Election Crisis Deepens Party Rift
The National Democratic Congress is grappling with rising internal tension following its nationwide primary elections held on May 29 ahead of the 2027 general elections.
What was expected to consolidate the party’s growing influence as a leading opposition force has instead triggered widespread disagreement, with disputes over candidate selection, delayed release of results, and allegations of manipulation now dominating internal conversations.
Although the party’s National Executive Committee had announced a week after the exercise that it had ratified and approved the outcome of the primaries, the official list of successful candidates is yet to be made public.
That silence has fueled suspicion, confusion, and open resistance across several state chapters.
In Kano State, tensions have intensified between members of the Kwankwasiya Movement and longstanding party stakeholders.
Both sides are locked in a struggle over control of the nomination process, with allegations that loyalists of former Kano governor and NDC vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, dominated the exercise.
The situation escalated further after an unofficial list of candidates began circulating online, prompting accusations that powerful figures within the party were attempting to impose preferred aspirants.
A similar wave of discontent has emerged in the South-East, where members of the Obidient Movement are accusing party leaders of unfair treatment of aspirants.
Some claim they were misled into paying large sums of money despite earlier assurances that such payments would not be required.
Amid the growing backlash, the party has insisted it has not released any official results for Kano State or any other region.
Party spokesperson Osas Director urged members and the public to disregard circulating lists, describing them as false and unauthorised.
He explained that the leadership had held closed-door reconciliation meetings involving key stakeholders from the Kano chapter, with efforts focused on restoring unity and ensuring internal balance.
According to him, the party remains committed to transparency and democratic processes, stressing that no candidate imposition has taken place.
Despite this, reports from within the party suggest deep divisions remain unresolved.
Kwankwaso is said to be considering leaving the party following disagreements over an earlier power-sharing arrangement that reportedly allocated 60 percent of Kano’s party structure to his movement and 40 percent to existing leadership.
Party officials in Kano, however, argue that the arrangement was ignored during the primaries, accusing Kwankwaso’s camp of monopolising nominations.
The state leadership has also been accused of revising candidate lists after the exercise, further inflaming tensions.
The crisis has now drawn in senior party voices, with a South-East official warning that the handling of the primaries could trigger legal disputes and potentially damage the party’s credibility.
The official argued that replacing primary winners through internal selection processes would undermine the democratic principles the party claims to uphold.
Public criticism has also emerged from outside the party structure. In Enugu, youth groups staged a peaceful protest at the national headquarters demanding fairness, transparency, and credible candidate selection.
They warned that imposition of candidates could weaken the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.
Further controversy erupted after public allegations by former ally Kenneth Okonkwo, who accused top party figures, including presidential candidate Peter Obi and South-East leaders, of financial misconduct during the nomination process.
He claimed aspirants were made to pay substantial sums under questionable arrangements.
Obi has strongly denied the allegations and has since taken legal action, describing the claims as false and damaging to his reputation.
Meanwhile, efforts at reconciliation continue. Former Bayelsa governor Seriake Dickson, who has been leading internal consultations, said discussions with rival factions including the Kwankwasiya bloc were aimed at strengthening unity and integrating key movements into the party structure.
He maintained that both the Kwankwasiya and Obidient movements remain central to the party’s grassroots strength and confirmed ongoing plans to formally incorporate them into national structures.
Political observers say the unfolding crisis reflects deeper structural weaknesses within the rapidly expanding party.
Analysts warn that without a clear internal strategy for managing competing interests, the party risks undermining its own momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
Some commentators argue that while the party’s growth has been significant, its internal cohesion has not kept pace, leaving room for mistrust, factionalism, and strategic confusion.
Despite the turbulence, supporters of the party insist such challenges are expected in a growing political movement, maintaining that the issues will eventually be resolved through dialogue and restructuring.
For now, however, uncertainty continues to hang over the party as members await the long-delayed official release of primary election results.
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