• Presidential candidate tasks party members on sacrifice
The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has appealed to aspirants who participated in the party’s recently concluded primary elections to accept the outcomes in good faith and support efforts to strengthen the party.
Obi made the plea on Wednesday during the second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the NDC in Abuja. The meeting was part of ongoing efforts by the party leadership to consolidate its structure and address internal grievances arising from the nationwide congresses and conventions.
Addressing the assembly, Obi acknowledged that while internal competition is a staple of democratic processes, it should not be allowed to undermine the party’s broader objectives.
“I want to sincerely appeal to all our aspirants to accept the outcomes in good faith,” Obi said. “In every democratic process, there will be winners and those who did not succeed. What matters most is what we do after the process.”
The former Anambra State governor noted that the NDC’s rapid transition from registration to holding primaries within a 90-day window was a significant feat that required patience and sacrifice from its members.
“We have conducted congresses, conventions, and primaries all within about 90 days. Even established parties struggle with this timeline. We must, therefore, show understanding and sacrifice for the greater good of the party,” he added.
Obi also apologised for the delayed start of the meeting and expressed gratitude to members who travelled from across the country, stating that their commitment “keeps this project alive.”
Looking ahead, the presidential candidate urged the party to focus on building a “credible alternative” capable of addressing Nigeria’s systemic challenges. He announced plans for a nationwide engagement tour to bolster grassroots mobilisation and political education.
“We will soon begin visits to all states of the federation. We do not want members always coming to Abuja; we will go to them. We must engage directly with Nigerians, understand their realities, and build our policies around their needs,” he said.
While highlighting insecurity, infrastructure deficits, and weak public services as critical concerns, Obi noted that detailed policy messaging would be reserved for the official campaign period.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the NDC, Moses Cleopas, described the party’s growth as “remarkable.” Likening the party’s journey to “Noah’s Ark,” Cleopas said the platform had weathered turbulent waters and remained on course to serve the country.
“Within a very short time, this party has moved from registration to primaries. It is not by human effort alone; there is a higher hand guiding this process,” Cleopas said.
Echoing this sentiment, NDC National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, remarked that the party has defied detractors who expected it to fail.
“From day one, we were not expected to survive. But we are still standing strong. Those who did not win today should remain hopeful; tomorrow still holds opportunities,” Dickson said.
As part of its long-term strategy, the NEC adopted a resolution to introduce electronic voting for future congresses and primary elections. The leadership explained that while manual voting was necessary during this foundational stage, the transition to a digital framework is essential to improve transparency and reduce disputes.
The meeting concluded with a renewed call for discipline, with Obi reiterating that “no political movement succeeds without sacrifice.”
