Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on aspirants who contested for various positions at the party’s primary elections to accept the results in good faith.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, Obi called on them to join hands with the party and work for its victory.
“Not everyone can win elections but irrespective of the outcome of the primary elections, all party members must come together,” he said.
He described the NDC as a young political organisation that has made tremendous strides in a short period of time, adding that the party had successfully held congresses, conventions and primaries in some 90 days.
“I want to make a sincere appeal to all our aspirants who partook in the primaries to accept the outcome in good faith. In any democratic process, there are going to be winners and losers. What counts is what we do afterwards.
“We have had congresses, conventions and primaries within about 90 days. For the good of the party we must show understanding, patience and sacrifice,” Obi said.
After the primaries, Peter Obi called on party members to move away from internal wrangling and focus on building a credible alternative political movement for 2027.
“We should not be too preoccupied with the internal process of today. We have to look forward. This party will be different.” “When given the opportunity, we will show leadership that is inclusive, caring and accountable,” he said.
The former Governor of Anambra State also revealed that the party would soon embark on a nationwide engagement tour to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and deepen political education across the country.
“Soon we will begin to visit all the states of the federation. We don’t want members always coming to Abuja, we will go to them, engage directly with Nigerians and build our policies around their needs,” he said.
He listed some of the challenges facing the country such as insecurity, poor infrastructure, education and health, noting that a detailed campaign message would come at the right time.
Noah’s Ark
In his remarks, the NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, described the party’s rapid growth as remarkable and attributed its progress to collective sacrifice and divine guidance.
He was said to have likened the party to the biblical Noah’s ark, a vehicle for national renewal and rescue.
“This party has gone from registration to conventions and primaries in a very short time. It is not by human effort alone. There is a higher hand that is guiding this process,” he said.
The party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson, also commended members for their resilience and announced that the party would soon embark on a comprehensive reconciliation process.
“We will undertake a holistic reconciliation and call on everyone to stay committed to it. “Those who lost today should stay hopeful because tomorrow still has opportunities,” Dickson said.
