AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE — The National Democratic Coalition (NDC) is on the verge of a total internal implosion following the official release of its primary election results from the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
The publication of the candidate list has triggered a massive wave of outrage, with frontline aspirants and party stakeholders alleging that the entire process was systematically hijacked by non-members, violent thugs, and compromised security forces.
Backyard Entrants and Thuggery Taint the Roster
According to multiple petitions filed by aggrieved contestants, the certified list released by the NDC National Working Committee contains names of individuals who are not registered members of the party. These backdoor candidates reportedly infiltrated the ballot without obtaining the mandatory constitutional waivers required by the party’s guidelines.
Furthermore, inside sources reveal that candidates who openly used armed thugs and hired security operatives to disrupt voting venues, snatch ballot boxes, and manufacture results were validated by the headquarters.
The blatant disregard for internal democracy has forced prominent human rights activist and NDC stakeholder Aisha Yesufu to publicly condemn the party’s leadership. Yesufu warned that if the glaring injustice is allowed to stand, the NDC will completely fail to live up to the expectations of the Nigerian electorate, who previously viewed the movement as a transparent alternative to the ruling establishment.
The Anambra Crisis: Thuggery Ousts Legitimate Aspirants
In Anambra State, the situation has devolved into complete chaos, mirroring the broader institutional decay seen in other state chapters. The manipulation has targeted some of the state’s most prominent political figures:
- The Victor Umeh Documentation: The case of Senator Victor Umeh has been heavily documented by local observers, who point out that established regional structures were completely sidelined by party executives to favor handpicked establishment actors.
- The Okonkwo Okom Robbery: Even more volatile is the case of Okonkwo Okom, who was violently robbed of his legitimate chances through bold-faced thuggery and open rigging. Despite extensive documentation and physical evidence proving that Okom’s mandate was stolen by hired actors, the national leadership of the NDC has actively supported and validated the fraudulent outcome.
A Campaign Bleeding from Within
The timing of this internal crisis could not be worse for the NDC. The party is already dealing with severe financial and logistical strains, highlighted by Imo State aspirant Chidi Mike recently lamenting his ₦1 million daily Abuja lobbying bills while waiting for these exact results.
The sudden collapse of internal discipline plays directly into the hands of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). While opposition governors—such as Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori—openly prioritize President Tinubu’s political interests over governance, the NDC’s inability to conduct a clean primary has destroyed its moral high ground.
Legal teams representing the aggrieved Anambra aspirants are currently preparing to file emergency injunctions at the Federal High Court to stall the submission of the fraudulent roster to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). They maintain that if the party leadership refuses to cancel the tainted results, a mass exodus of foundational members will permanently cripple the NDC before the general elections commence.
