The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has made a significant disclosure, revealing that over 50 percent of its candidates across constituencies emerged through consensus during the party’s recently concluded primaries — a declaration the party says underscores the strength of its internal democratic processes and the spirit of unity driving its 2027 electoral preparations.
The revelation, coming on the heels of widespread allegations of candidate imposition against the party, is being presented by NDC leadership as compelling evidence that the primaries were largely conducted in an atmosphere of mutual agreement, party cohesion, and collective decision-making — rather than the top-down manipulation that critics have alleged.
Party officials explained that the consensus approach, which saw candidates emerge through negotiated agreements among party stakeholders rather than contested ballots in many constituencies, was adopted in the interest of party unity, cost efficiency, and the prevention of bitter post-primary conflicts that have historically weakened many Nigerian political parties ahead of general elections.
“More than half of our candidates emerged through consensus. This is a testament to the maturity, unity, and democratic spirit of our party members who put the collective interest of the NDC above personal ambition,” a senior party official stated.
The NDC argued that the high rate of consensus candidacies actually reflects a healthier and more mature internal democracy — one where party members are capable of reaching organic agreements that reflect the true balance of forces within their constituencies without resorting to divisive and expensive primary contests.
However, critics and aggrieved members have pushed back against this narrative, arguing that in many instances the so-called “consensus” was not genuinely organic but was engineered by powerful party figures who pressured potential candidates to step down — effectively achieving imposition through the back door of consensus.
The NDC has firmly rejected this characterisation, insisting that every consensus arrangement was reached voluntarily and in full compliance with the party’s constitution and established internal processes.
Political analysts say the debate over the true nature of the NDC’s consensus candidacies will likely continue as aggrieved members pursue their grievances through internal party channels and potentially the courts — adding that the party’s ability to convincingly resolve these disputes will be a critical test of its institutional strength ahead of 2027.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been urged by various stakeholders to scrutinise the processes through which all parties — including the NDC — produced their candidates, ensuring that the principles of free, fair, and credible primaries are upheld across the board.
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