By Omoyeni Ojeifo
In a move to unify the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has inaugurated a 23-member National Reconciliation Committee.
The panel is tasked with resolving internal disputes following the party’s recent congresses, convention, and primary elections.
Announcing the committee on Thursday in Abuja, NDC National Chairman, Sen. Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, said respected elder statesmen had been brought together to restore confidence within the party and reunite members dissatisfied with the outcome of its congresses, convention and primaries.
“Your assignment is not merely to settle disputes; it is to rebuild confidence. Justice, fairness, equity and inclusion must continue to prevail so every member returns with confidence and the party moves forward together,” he said.
Persecondnews correspondent reports that the committee is chaired by Prof. Pat Utomi, co-chaired by Engineer Buba Galadima, with 21 other representatives from the North, South-East and South-South.
Zuwoghe urged members to put aside personal grievances, saying reconciliation was essential because the party’s mission of providing an alternative leadership for Nigeria was bigger than the aspirations of any individual.
“The greater objective before us as a party is far bigger than the ambition of any individual. We need everybody because what we are fighting for is Nigeria, and every committed member has a role to play.”
He stressed that disagreements were inevitable because several qualified aspirants contested for single tickets across the country, adding that appeals were reviewed while consultations were held with party elders, stakeholders and grassroots leaders before candidates were submitted to INEC.
“We respect the rights of members to express grievances or seek legal redress, but our responsibility is to ensure we don’t allow people to leave our party. There must always be room for us to talk.”
On his part, the Committee Chairman, Prof. Utomi, described the reconciliation process as an opportunity to strengthen both the party and the country, urging members to embrace unity and place national interest above personal differences.
“We are calling out to all our compatriots. People have been hurt in different ways, but together we can build this bigger cake that will lift our country and ultimately our continent out of where it is,” he said.
Utomi assured unsuccessful aspirants that the party still valued their contributions, saying everyone who participated in the process would have a role in building the party ahead of the next general elections.
“There is nobody who has entered this process that will not have a place in building this great nation. Some who did not receive nominations may become even greater champions in the future.”
Also speaking, Co-chairman, Galadima, acknowledged that reconciling aggrieved members would be challenging, saying political contests naturally produce winners and disappointed aspirants, particularly under Nigeria’s current electoral framework.
“This is not going to be a straightforward or simple assignment. It will be a very hard nut to crack, but as elders, we will do everything possible to reconcile members of our great party.”
Galadima said the committee would rely on dialogue, persuasion and patriotism to heal divisions, urging party members to look beyond personal ambitions and support efforts to build a united front for 2027.
“We will be resolute and patriotic, and make sure we persuade those who feel aggrieved to look at the larger picture of Nigeria rather than individual ambition,” he said.
Persecondnews correspondent also reports that the committee is expected to engage aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders through dialogue, review complaints arising from the party’s congresses and primaries, promote inclusion, and submit recommendations to the National Working Committee ahead of the 2027 election campaigns.
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