2027: NDC chieftain raises alarm over delayed primary results

A cheiftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in the South-East, Mr Maxwell Igbokwe, has urged the party to swiftly resolve all outstanding primary disputes before INEC’s deadline for uploading candidates’ names.

Igbokwe made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

He said resolving the disputes promptly was necessary to preserve the party’s unity, strengthen public confidence, and ensure its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

He advised the party’s leadership against imposing candidates and delaying the release of outstanding primary election results.

NAN reports that INEC had fixed July 11 as deadline for parties to upload names of National Assembly candidates and July 17 as deadline for governorship and State House of Assembly candidates.

According to Igbokwe, any action short of transparency and accountability on the outcome of the party’s primaries can undermine internal democracy and party unity ahead of the general elections.

Igbokwe said the party was founded to provide Nigerians with a credible alternative based on transparency, accountability and internal democracy, warning that any departure from those principles could damage its credibility.

He urged the party’s national leadership to adhere strictly to the NDC constitution and ensure that only names of duly elected candidates were submitted to INEC.

He further expressed concern that the results of some primary elections conducted more than two months ago had yet to be officially released.

According to him, the delay has created uncertainty among party members and could erode confidence in the party’s commitment to transparency and fairness.

“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,” he said.

He particularly raised concerns over the House of Representatives primary election for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alleging attempts to manipulate the nomination process.

“Our objective is not to sow division but to protect the integrity of our party and preserve the democratic ideals that inspired millions of Nigerians to believe in our vision for a better nation,” he said.

2027: NDC chieftain raises alarm over delayed primary results