The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has initiated moves to resolve disputes arising from its recent primary elections in some states, particularly Kano and Edo, by constituting a seven-member reconciliation committee.
The committee, chaired by renowned political economist Prof. Pat Utomi, with elder statesman Buba Galadima playing a leading role, is expected to engage aggrieved aspirants, stakeholders and party officials to restore unity within the opposition party. It is scheduled to be inaugurated in Abuja.
To strengthen the reconciliation process, the party also established three zonal sub-committees for the North, Southeast and South-South regions to complement the work of the national committee.
The development was announced in a statement jointly signed by the NDC National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses, and the National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu.
Other members of the national reconciliation committee include Mohammed Sani Takori (Vice Chairman), Babatunde Alli (Secretary), Dudu Manuga, Salvador Moshood and Alhaji Haruna Pai.
The Northern Sub-Committee is chaired by Mainasara Abubakar, with Fatima Abba serving as secretary. Other members are Solomon Ndah, Tanko Yusufu and Toma Gana.
The Southeast Sub-Committee is headed by Senator Victor Umeh, while Patrick Akwara serves as secretary. Its members include Eze Chikamnayo, Patrick Chukwudi, Isaac Anumudu and Stefiny Eugene.
According to the party, the committees have been mandated to reconcile aggrieved members, engage stakeholders, aspirants and party officials, and foster cohesion ahead of future elections. They are also expected to ensure members rally behind the party’s candidates at all levels.
Meanwhile, the fallout from the primaries continues in Edo State, where a chieftain of the party and former Chief Whip of the Senate, Rowland Owie, has rejected the emergence of Epelle Osayuki as the NDC candidate for the Edo South Senatorial District.
Owie alleged that the name and photograph of Sunny Aguebor were uploaded on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal as the party’s duly nominated candidate, accusing an unnamed national officer of the party of manipulating the nomination process.
“The truth is, fraud cannot stand. The duly nominated candidate for Edo South NDC is Sunny Aguebor,” Owie said, expressing disappointment over the party’s decision to recognise Osayuki as its candidate.
