National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Dickson, has acknowledged that the party’s recently concluded primaries were marred by irregularities, while appealing to aggrieved aspirants and members to remain patient as the party addresses complaints arising from the exercise.
Speaking through a statement shared on his official X account, Dickson admitted that the primaries were not flawless but argued that the challenges should be viewed within the context of the party’s rapid growth and compressed electoral timetable. He noted that the NDC, which is only four months old, had to simultaneously conduct membership registration, congresses, a national convention, primaries, appeals and reconciliation processes within a short period.
The former Bayelsa State governor said many of the complaints stemmed from the direct primary system imposed by the Electoral Act, maintaining that similar grievances have been recorded across political parties. According to him, compulsory direct primaries have created widespread operational difficulties that are not unique to the NDC.
Despite the concerns raised by aspirants, Dickson insisted that the party performed creditably given its age and the large number of contestants it had to accommodate. He argued that managing such a broad participation base within a limited timeframe inevitably created challenges but did not diminish the overall success of the exercise.
Dickson also dismissed reports circulating on social media suggesting that winners had already emerged from the primaries, stressing that the party had yet to officially announce any candidates. He urged members and the public to disregard unofficial lists and await formal communication through approved party channels.
To address post-primary grievances, he revealed that the party’s National Executive Committee had already constituted a Reconciliation Committee tasked with working alongside state caucus leaders and stakeholders to resolve disputes and unite members ahead of the elections.
He urged party leaders at all levels to actively support the reconciliation effort rather than engage in blame games.
Looking ahead, Dickson promised that future NDC primaries would be technology-driven to eliminate many of the shortcomings experienced during the current exercise. He thanked party members and supporters for their contributions to what he described as a self-funded political movement and called on all stakeholders to rally behind the party’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.
