NDC explains tough stand on aspirants 

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has said it is putting strict measures in place to prevent political aspirants from exploiting the popularity of prominent opposition figures such as Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to gain political office.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the spokesperson of the NDC, Osa Director, said the party had learnt lessons from the 2023 general elections and would conduct a more rigorous screening process for aspirants seeking its platform.

According to him, the party observed a surge of interest from individuals, including Nigerians in the diaspora with little or no prior political participation, seeking nomination forms under the NDC platform.

“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 the fact that a lot of people, especially people from the diaspora who have never participated in politics, rushed to get a form under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress,” Director said.

He added that many aspirants appeared attracted by the perceived political momentum generated by Obi and Kwankwaso during the 2023 elections, as well as the NDC’s growing profile as an opposition platform.

“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 the mess we’re having in the country today, and we are conscious of all that,” he stated.

Director explained that aspirants were questioned extensively during screening exercises to determine their political vision, credentials and grassroots presence.

“Even during the screening, most of them were asked all those questions about their vision and credentials, so they know. And if you are not on the ground, who is going to vote for you?” he said.

In the lead-up to the 2023 elections, several relatively unknown politicians joined the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), with some eventually winning elective offices. However, many later defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Director said the NDC was determined not to repeat what it described as mistakes of the past.

“So, 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,” he said.

“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 going to pick a ticket and fly the flag of the NDC. So, we are learning from the mistakes of the past.”