Internal Tensions Rise in Nigerian Democratic Congress Over Alleged Candidate Imposition

The South-East bloc of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a stern warning to the party’s national leadership, cautioning that delayed primary election results and the potential imposition of candidates could trigger internal instability ahead of the 2027 general election.

During a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, Maxwell Igbokwe, Chairman of the NDC South-East caucus in the Federal Capital Territory, urged the party to honor its internal democratic processes. He expressed concern that results from primaries conducted over two months ago remain unreleased, creating a vacuum that fuels suspicion of manipulation.

The group specifically voiced alarm regarding the House of Representatives ticket for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency. Members of the bloc alleged that the party leadership attempted to bypass the primary process by offering the nomination to an activist who did not participate in the contest. They argued that such actions violate the core principles of transparency and fairness upon which the party was founded.

Addressing the controversy, Igbokwe emphasized that the bloc’s intervention is intended to preserve the party’s integrity rather than create division. He urged the national leadership to ensure that all submitted candidates are those who legitimately emerged through transparent, lawful primary elections before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadlines.

In response, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, denied allegations of candidate imposition. He noted that the Electoral Act provides parties with the flexibility to adopt consensus-building mechanisms if necessary. Director maintained that the party is currently addressing grievances from those who lost in the primaries but insisted that all mandates are being handled according to party regulations and established democratic practices.

The party is currently navigating the window for uploading candidate names to the INEC portal, with deadlines for National Assembly and state-level candidates approaching mid-July .