By Chimezie Godfrey
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has appealed to aspirants to remain committed to the party despite the outcome of the party’s recent primaries, assuring them that future opportunities await those who were unsuccessful.
Obi made the appeal on Wednesday at the party’s Second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, where he called for patience, sacrifice and unity as the NDC prepares for the next phase of its political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing party members and contestants, Obi said the party remained committed to accommodating all stakeholders irrespective of the outcome of the primaries.
“For those of you who did not win today, you will win tomorrow. I assure you that those who did not succeed today will have opportunities tomorrow. We will accommodate everybody,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor urged members not to allow temporary setbacks affect their commitment to the party’s broader objective of providing an alternative platform for national development.
“This is a party where people will see what it means to be caring, inclusive, and accommodating when we have the opportunity to lead,” Obi stated.
He acknowledged the challenges associated with the party’s rapid growth and the demands of preparing for a national election within a relatively short period, appealing to members to continue making sacrifices for the collective good.
“Please, I am begging all of you to be more tolerant, more understanding, and more willing to make sacrifices as we go through this process,” he said.
According to Obi, the party still has significant work ahead, including concluding aspects of its primary election process and preparing for the commencement of campaigns.
“If you consider where we are today, we have about 90 days to go. Within these 90 days, we still have a lot of work to do, including concluding our primaries and preparing for the next stage,” he said.
Obi stressed the need for members to focus on the future rather than dwell on immediate disappointments.
“It is important that we look at tomorrow. Let us look at tomorrow. Let us look at tomorrow,” he urged.
The presidential candidate further assured party faithful that the NDC would remain a platform driven by inclusiveness and responsible leadership.
“When this party has the opportunity to form government, we will show Nigerians what a responsible and caring party looks like,” he added.
Also speaking, Founder and National Leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, echoed Obi’s appeal for understanding and reconciliation among members following the primaries.
Dickson said the leadership was mindful of concerns raised by some contestants and had commenced efforts to address them through established party mechanisms.
“Even if the outcome has not been favorable to you, take it that you may have lost today, you may win tomorrow, and that whatever has happened, it is the party that has won,” he said.
The former Bayelsa State governor disclosed that reconciliation would be a major priority of the party in the coming weeks.
“Our decision will be on reconciliation. We will all take that decision, and it will be duly announced,” he stated.
He therefore called on party leaders across the states and zones to initiate consultations aimed at strengthening unity and consensus within the party.
“I call on all the chairmen, as they get back, to consult with their leaders and put in place a mechanism for resolution, for consensus building and for reconciliation,” Dickson said.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the party, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, acknowledged that disagreements were inevitable in any major political contest but commended members for conducting themselves peacefully throughout the process.
“There is no political exercise of this magnitude that will take place without some level of dissatisfaction. However, no casualty was recorded,” Zuwoghe said.
He noted that despite being a relatively young party, the NDC had successfully conducted membership registration, congresses, a national convention and primaries across the country.
“A party that was just two months old had already gone through congresses, a convention and primaries,” he stated.
The NEC meeting brought together members of the National Working Committee, state chairmen, candidates and other stakeholders as the party intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
FOLLOW US & Share this with someone who needs to see this.
