The prolonged delay in the announcement of results from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) nationwide primaries has triggered growing concern among party members, aspirants, and political observers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NDC conducted its primaries across the country on May 28 and 29, 2026, to select candidates for various elective positions. However, days after the exercise, the party is yet to officially release the results, fueling widespread speculation and uncertainty.
The development comes despite the party’s assurance that the outcome of the primaries remains under the custody of its National Executive Council (NEC), which is expected to deliberate on the exercise and related issues before making any official announcement.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, distanced the party from several results circulating on social media, describing them as unofficial.
“The general public is hereby urged to disregard the various results circulating on social media as the outcome of the nationwide primaries conducted by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, on the 28th and 29th of May, 2026,” the statement read.
“The results of the primaries are with the National Executive Council (NEC) of our great party. They are solely responsible for announcements of results.”
The party further assured members and stakeholders that the official list of successful candidates would be released after the completion of ratification processes and before submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Aspirants Await Outcome
Despite the assurance, anxiety continues to mount within the party as aspirants across several states await official confirmation of the primary election outcomes.
One aspirant, who spoke with DAILY POST, revealed that he had remained in Abuja since the conclusion of the primaries in an effort to monitor developments within the party.
According to him, several other aspirants have also relocated to the Federal Capital Territory to obtain firsthand information regarding the ongoing deliberations.
Political analysts have warned that the delay could undermine confidence in the party’s commitment to transparency and internal democracy, especially as the NDC prepares for its first major electoral contest since its rapid expansion across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT.
“My Mandate Must Stand” – Anambra Aspirant
Adding to the tension, an aspirant for the Awka South Constituency II seat in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Chinedu Raymond Obue, has called on the party leadership to respect the outcome of the primary election conducted in his constituency.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Obue maintained that the exercise held at Umuzocha Hall, Awka, was free, fair, and transparent.
He claimed to have secured 625 votes against 73 votes polled by his closest rival, Sam Chuks Okpanduka, and insisted that video evidence exists to support the credibility of the process.
“The Nigeria Democratic Congress must uphold the wishes of the people and resist any attempt to compromise this victory,” Obue stated.
He warned that any attempt to alter the outcome of the election could damage confidence in the party and undermine its democratic ideals.
Party Official Alleges Manipulation
An aggrieved NDC official from the South-East zone also accused the party leadership of attempting to manipulate the outcome of the primaries through what he described as a controversial “selection committee.”
Speaking anonymously, the official alleged that while primary elections had been successfully conducted and winners emerged in several states, powerful interests within the party were seeking to overturn some outcomes because influential politicians failed to secure victory at the polls.
According to him, the creation of a selection committee after the conduct of primaries contradicts democratic principles and could plunge the party into legal and political crises.
“Party primaries were conducted across the states and winners emerged, but there are some power plays going on that have stalled the announcement of those results because in most of the states, the so-called big politicians lost,” he alleged.
He warned that replacing candidates who emerged through the ballot with individuals selected through an opaque process could trigger lawsuits and widespread dissatisfaction among party members.
“People expected the NDC to set an example. Instead, what we are seeing is beginning to resemble the same controversies that have plagued primaries in other political parties,” he added.
Enugu Governorship Candidate Dismisses Fears
Meanwhile, Professor James Ene-Nwannaji, who emerged from one faction’s governorship primary in Enugu State, dismissed suggestions that the outcome of the election could be altered.
Speaking with DAILY POST, Ene-Nwannaji expressed confidence in the integrity of the process, noting that the election was conducted across the state’s 17 local government areas under the supervision of party officials and monitored by INEC.
He maintained that there was no basis for any review that would reverse the result.
“The primaries were conducted by the party executives and monitored by INEC in line with the law. I emerged as the winner, and I don’t see any reason for a change,” he said.
While acknowledging that the national leadership is yet to officially announce the results, Ene-Nwannaji said he was not worried by the delay.
“We are not agitated. The party is carrying out its due diligence, and we are confident that they will not find anything contrary to what was done,” he added.
Uncertainty Persists
As stakeholders continue to await the official release of the primary election results, concerns are growing over the potential impact of the delay on party unity and public perception.
With allegations of interference, fears of candidate substitution, and increasing pressure from aspirants, the NDC leadership faces a critical test of its commitment to transparency and internal democracy as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
Comments