By Jane Salihu
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has intensified efforts to strengthen internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections with the inauguration of a National Reconciliation Committee tasked with resolving grievances arising from the party’s congresses, convention and primary elections.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwogwe, said the committee was established to restore confidence among party members and reinforce the unity needed to position the party as a credible alternative for Nigerians.
The committee is chaired by renowned political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, with veteran politician, Engineer Buba Galadima, serving as Co-Chairman.
Zuwogwe noted that although the NDC was registered only a few months ago, it had successfully conducted membership registration, ward, local government and state congresses, a national convention and primary elections within the limited timeframe provided by the electoral calendar.
He admitted that the speed of the process and the party’s growing popularity inevitably led to disputes in constituencies where several qualified aspirants competed for a single ticket.
“Considering the speed with which these processes were undertaken and the overwhelming acceptance the party has received across Nigeria, it was inevitable that certain challenges would arise,” he said.
The NDC chairman explained that the party carefully reviewed appeals from aggrieved aspirants and embarked on extensive consultations with state leaders, stakeholders, party elders and grassroots members before forwarding the names of its candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He, however, acknowledged that some members remained dissatisfied and had either approached the courts or continued to express their grievances through internal party channels.
According to him, the reconciliation committee was not created merely to settle disputes but to rebuild trust, restore confidence and reassure members that justice, fairness, equity and inclusion would remain the guiding principles of the party.
“Our collective mission is far bigger than the ambitions of any individual. We are determined to provide Nigerians with a credible, competent and patriotic alternative capable of rescuing the nation and restoring hope to our people,” Zuwogwe said.
He urged unsuccessful aspirants not to view their defeat in the primaries as the end of their political journey, stressing that they remained valuable assets whose contributions would be required during the campaigns and in government if the party wins power in 2027.
The National Chairman also appealed to party leaders, stakeholders and supporters across the federation to cooperate with the committee, assuring them that every genuine grievance would receive fair consideration.
He directed the committee to engage aggrieved aspirants through dialogue and mediation, review disputes arising from the nomination process, recommend measures to strengthen party unity, interface with state chapters and stakeholders, and submit its report to the National Working Committee on or before August 22, 2026.
Accepting the assignment on behalf of the committee, Professor Pat Utomi described the task as one that extends beyond the NDC, saying the future of Nigeria depends on leaders placing national interest above personal ambition.
Utomi lamented what he described as the growing culture of self-interest in Nigerian politics, urging party members to embrace the African philosophy of collective progress.
“The tendency to focus on self has prevented us from remembering who we are as Africans. If we keep the collective interest in mind, we will realise that these disagreements are insignificant compared to the greater good that lies ahead,” he said.
He noted that Africa possesses enormous economic potential but continues to suffer because political instability and poor governance discourage investment.
According to him, Nigeria has a responsibility to lead the continent’s transformation by building strong institutions and promoting national unity.
Utomi further disclosed that the NDC was developing a youth-centred policy agenda, stressing that with Nigeria’s median age standing at about 19 years, the country’s future depends largely on empowering young people to participate actively in governance and nation-building.
“There is nobody who has entered this process that will not have a place in building this party. Some who may not have secured nominations today may become even greater champions tomorrow,” he said.
Also speaking, Co-Chairman of the committee, Engineer Buba Galadima, acknowledged that reconciling aggrieved members would not be an easy task but expressed confidence that the committee would deliver on its mandate.
Galadima argued that the current Electoral Act has made party primaries particularly difficult for opposition parties, saying many of the disputes witnessed during candidate selection are products of the legal framework rather than deliberate actions by political parties.
Drawing from his experience as a former National Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), he recounted how disputed primaries in Kano in 2011 resulted in prolonged litigation, financial losses and the seizure of his personal property.
He said the experience underscored the need for dialogue and political compromise instead of prolonged legal battles.
Galadima urged disappointed aspirants to put Nigeria’s future ahead of personal ambitions, reminding them that while many people may seek a single ticket, only one candidate can emerge.
He maintained that the larger objective should be building a united political platform capable of providing Nigerians with a credible alternative in the 2027 elections.
The inauguration of the reconciliation committee marks another step by the NDC leadership to consolidate its internal structures as the party prepares to challenge for power in the next general election.
