The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is embroiled in a dispute over its Plateau State governorship ticket, with various factions presenting divergent accounts of the substitution primary conducted by the party. Oluwole Adedapo, the party's National Auditor, was delegated by the National Working Committee (NWC) to conduct the exercise. He declared Da Jonathan Sunday Akuns as the party's governorship candidate after he emerged unopposed. Adedapo claimed he paid a courtesy visit to the state executive committee and held a stakeholders' meeting at a larger venue due to space constraints at the party secretariat.
According to Adedapo, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrived at the venue on the eve of the primary, requesting that he accompany them to their office. However, party members declined the request, citing his delegation from Abuja to conduct the exercise. On the day of the primary, the state chairman, Solomon Ndam Yakubu, disagreed with Adedapo over the conduct of the exercise. Some local government party chairmen then proceeded to hold another exercise, Adedapo said. He maintained that the responsibility for conducting the governorship primary rested with the national leadership of the party.
Adedapo stated that only Akuns purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms and was successfully screened for the Plateau governorship ticket. The substitution primary was intended to obtain affirmation from stakeholders since there was no other screened aspirant. However, Ndam claimed he was not aware of any dispute over the Plateau governorship ticket. He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the exercise and compiled its report.
The NDC National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, said the party had forwarded Akuns' name to INEC as its nominee for the Plateau State governorship election. Enekweizu stated that the party's established procedure was for its national leadership to organise primaries and submit the names of nominated candidates to INEC. He added that any communication concerning the party's governorship nominee should be endorsed by the National Chairman and National Secretary.
Enekweizu further stated that the party would seek clarification from INEC if any name other than Akuns' was recognised as its candidate for the election. The conflicting accounts from different factions of the party have deepened the dispute over the Plateau governorship ticket. The situation has raised concerns about the party's internal democracy and its ability to present a unified candidate for the election.
The NDC is one of the parties vying for power in the 2027 elections. The party's performance in the Plateau State governorship election will be crucial in determining its overall success. The dispute over the governorship ticket has also raised questions about the party's readiness for the elections. The party's national leadership will need to address the issue urgently to avoid further divisions and ensure a unified front.
The Plateau State governorship election is expected to be a keenly contested one, with various parties and candidates vying for the top seat. The NDC's ability to present a unified candidate will be crucial in determining its chances of success. The party's national leadership will need to navigate the complex situation and find a solution that works for all factions of the party.
Key points
- The NDC has forwarded Akuns' name to INEC as its nominee for the Plateau State governorship election.
- The party's national leadership will need to address the dispute over the governorship ticket urgently to avoid further divisions.
- The dispute has raised concerns about the party's internal democracy and its ability to present a unified candidate for the election.
