2027: NDC Won’t Let Aspirants Ride on Obi-Kwankwaso Wave, Says Spokesman

The Nigeria Democratic Congress says it has put measures in place to stop aspirants from riding on the popularity of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to win party tickets and later defect, drawing lessons from the 2023 Labour Party experience.

NDC spokesman Osa Director said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme that the party was taking a harder line on candidate screening to avoid becoming a platform for politicians seeking an easy election path.

Learning from Labour Party’s 2023 Experience

Director said several relatively unknown aspirants joined the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party in the buildup to the 2023 elections, won tickets, and later dumped the parties after securing office.

“We have learnt from the incident of the past that happened in the Labour Party, and that was why during our screening, we took particular special notice of what happened,” he said.

He acknowledged that some politicians were likely trying to “ride on the Obi-Kwankwaso wave” and saw the NDC as a viable alternative platform to achieve their ambitions.

“As you have said, probably to ride on the Obi-Kwankwaso wave and also because they see that the NDC is a vibrant alternative platform to get to power, they feel that is the way to go,” Director said.

Pedigree and Commitment Checks

The spokesman said his party was conducting thorough screening of all aspirants, checking their background, political consistency, and commitment to the party’s principles.

“Flowing from that experience, the NDC has also told all the aspirants that it is not going to be business as usual. We are going to check your pedigree and commitment. If you don’t have a verifiable pedigree and commitment to the party, to the principles and values that the party is espousing, then you are not likely going to get the ticket,” he said.

Peter Obi was the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, while Rabiu Kwankwaso was the NNPP flagbearer. Both men are now aligned with the ADC coalition ahead of 2027, but their political brands remain influential across multiple opposition parties.

Sources: Channels TV, Daily Post