The Nigeria Democratic Congress has dismissed allegations of irregularities and candidate imposition in its recently concluded primaries for presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and State Houses of Assembly seats, insisting that all contestants were given a fair opportunity to participate while announcing a comprehensive reconciliation process to address remaining grievances ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement signed by National Secretary Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the party defended the consensus-building model it used particularly in the South-east, where much of the criticism about its primaries originated. He said the party relied on caucus leaders associated with presidential candidate Peter Obi’s political structure, comprising prominent elder statesmen including former NDDC Board Chairman Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former Ebonyi Governor Dr. Sam Egwu, former Enugu Governor Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, and former Imo Governor Chief Achike Udenwa, with Anambra coordinated by Obi’s political team.

Enekweizu said the caucus leaders were mandated to consult stakeholders, build consensus, and make recommendations based on political realities in their respective states, but that any aspirant who disagreed with those recommendations was free to test their popularity through the grassroots democratic process, which the party accommodated. He said at no point had the NDC National Secretariat been involved in picking, choosing, or imposing candidates on any constituency or state, and that every aspirant who approached the party was received and directed to engage with the appropriate caucus leaders and grassroots members.

He acknowledged reports of some aspirants prematurely declaring themselves candidates and complaints about aspects of the process, saying such matters had been referred to the party’s Appeal Panel and leadership for resolution. The National Executive Committee had approved a broad reconciliation process aimed at healing grievances and strengthening internal cohesion, with caucus leaders, state chairmen, and stakeholders tasked with engaging all aspirants and members.

The NDC noted that since receiving its registration certificate on February 5, 2026, it had within 90 days established party structures from ward to national level, held two NEC meetings, and conducted nationwide primaries for all tiers of elective office, and that based on its National Assembly representation it had emerged as the country’s second-largest political party.