Politics
2027 Elections: Fresh Crisis Brews in NDC Over Alleged Candidate Imposition
Fresh controversy has erupted within the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) after the party’s South-East bloc accused its national leadership of attempting to impose candidates and delaying the release of outstanding primary election results ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group warned that any attempt to sideline candidates who emerged through transparent primaries could trigger internal unrest and weaken the party’s chances in the 2027 polls.
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Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Chairman of the NDC South-East in the Federal Capital Territory, Maxwell Igbokwe, called on the party leadership to uphold internal democracy and ensure that only candidates who won lawful primary elections are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, the continued delay in releasing the results of some primaries conducted over two months ago has raised concerns among party members and could deepen divisions within the opposition party.
“We call on the leadership of our party to uphold the NDC constitution, respect the outcome of a transparent and lawful primary process, and ensure that no individual is imposed on the people,” Igbokwe said.
He alleged that the House of Representatives primary for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory had been manipulated, adding that recent developments suggested attempts to bypass the democratic process.
The South-East bloc also referenced public comments reportedly made by the party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson, indicating that the House of Representatives ticket had been offered to activist Aisha Yesufu despite the fact that she neither purchased nomination forms nor declared interest in the contest.
The group further cited remarks allegedly made by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, claiming that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, personally appealed to Yesufu to accept the nomination, but she declined.
Igbokwe maintained that the reported sequence of events raises serious concerns about the credibility of the party’s nomination process.
“Our findings raise further concerns. We have reason to believe the party’s national leadership has been attempting to substitute or impose a candidate outside the established democratic process.
“If allowed to stand, such actions would undermine the credibility of our party, erode members’ confidence and violate the principles of fairness and due process on which the NDC was founded,” he said.
He stressed that the group’s intervention was aimed at protecting the party’s integrity and called on the leadership to resolve all outstanding primary disputes before the party concludes its candidate nomination process.
The controversy comes as INEC has granted the NDC access to its candidate nomination portal, allowing the party to upload the names of candidates for the 2027 general election before the statutory deadlines.
Reacting to the allegations, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, dismissed claims of candidate imposition, insisting that the Electoral Act allows political parties to adopt consensus where necessary.
He argued that if irregularities are discovered after direct primaries, the party has the legal right to apply consensus in selecting its candidates.
Director also denied that the party had imposed any candidate, saying complaints from aggrieved members were being addressed fairly and that no confirmed case of candidate imposition had been brought to his attention.
He further dismissed claims that politicians who allegedly lost primaries were later included in the party’s list submitted to INEC, insisting that all issues were being handled in accordance with the party’s internal processes.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has replaced his deputy, Senator Umar Tafida, with former Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Ibrahim Augie, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.
The development was announced on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi by the All Progressives Congress National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Suleiman Argungu.
According to a statement by the Kebbi State Government, Argungu said the decision followed professional legal advice concerning the eligibility of the incumbent deputy governor.
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“The present Deputy Governor was dropped as the running mate to Governor Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu for the 2027 general election based on professional legal advice,” Argungu said.
He explained that the decision was taken with Tafida’s understanding and consent, stressing that there was no disagreement between the governor and his deputy.
Argungu subsequently announced Augie as the new running mate to Governor Idris for the 2027 governorship election.
He called on APC members, politicians and supporters across Kebbi State to accept the development and unite behind the party ahead of the 2027 election.
Governor Idris also dismissed suggestions of a rift between him and Tafida, urging continued unity, support and cooperation as his administration pursues further development across the state.
Augie, who hails from Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, served as Commissioner for Finance during the administration of former Governor Atiku Bagudu.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, saying the outcome of the August 15 governorship election reflects the choice of the people.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner of the keenly contested election on Sunday.
Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, described Adeleke’s victory as an expression of the preference of the majority of Osun voters.
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“This is democracy, and the majority of Osun voters have expressed their preference for the re-election of Governor Adeleke,” Oyebanji said.
He congratulated Adeleke on his electoral victory and urged him to be magnanimous in victory by carrying other contestants along in the task of building a more prosperous Osun State.
Oyebanji also commended the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, describing him as “a worthy challenger” and applauding Osun APC members for putting up a strong fight during the election.
He urged the opposition party to return to the drawing board and strategise for future elections.
The Ekiti governor also praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as providing a level playing field for all candidates, arguing that the move helped reduce tension and contributed to a credible contest.
“We must specially appreciate our dear President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for providing a level playing field for all the contestants.
This singular act of the President reduced tension and made the contest a credible one,” he said.
Oyebanji further commended INEC and the security agencies for their roles in conducting the election.
He, however, cautioned against interpreting Adeleke’s victory as a rejection of Tinubu by Osun voters, predicting that the state would massively support the President in the 2027 election.
“The outcome of the Osun Governorship election should not be misinterpreted as a true reflection of Osun people about President Bola Tinubu. Certainly not. The people of Osun will massively vote for President Tinubu come January 2027,” Oyebanji added.
The presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party, ADP, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, has raised the alarm over alleged moves to replace him as the party’s candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abbas, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Friday, said any attempt to substitute his name without his consent and outside established legal and party procedures would undermine democratic principles.
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He said he had received information about alleged political pressure concerning the party’s presidential candidacy, although he did not provide independent evidence to substantiate the claim.
According to him, any decision affecting the party’s presidential candidate must comply with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the constitution and regulations of the ADP, as well as applicable procedures of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
“Any attempt to secretly substitute, withdraw, replace or otherwise compromise my candidacy without my express consent and without strict adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the constitution and regulations of the ADP, and applicable INEC procedures would constitute a grave assault on democratic principles and the rights of our members and supporters,” he said.
Abbas said he emerged as the ADP presidential candidate through the party’s recognised processes, stressing that any subsequent decision concerning the ticket should be handled transparently and in accordance with the law.
“My mandate is not a personal possession of any individual, neither is it a political bargaining chip to be traded behind closed doors,” he said.
The ADP candidate urged the party’s National Chairman, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, state chairmen and other stakeholders to protect the integrity of the party’s presidential nomination process.
He also called on the party leadership to preserve official records relating to the presidential primary, nomination, submission of documents and communications with INEC.
Abbas further maintained that any alteration to the party’s presidential ticket should only be undertaken through lawful, transparent and verifiable procedures prescribed by the party’s constitution and relevant electoral laws.
He urged political stakeholders to respect the rights of party members and supporters and allow democratic processes to determine candidates for the 2027 elections.
“Our party belongs to its members. Our mandate belongs to the people. And our democracy belongs to Nigeria,” he said.
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