Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged aspirants who vied for different 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.
He said that not everyone can win elections but irrespective of the outcome of the primary elections, all party members must come together.
He described the NDC as a young political organisation that had 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 participated in the primaries to accept the outcomes in good faith. In every democratic process there will be winners and there will be losers. What counts is what we do after the process.
“We have held congresses, conventions and primaries within about 90 days. “We must show understanding, patience and sacrifice for the good of the party,” Obi said.
Peter Obi called on party members after the primaries to shun internal wrangling and focus on building a credible alternative political movement for 2027.
“We should not be too consumed by the internal process of today. We have to look ahead. “This party will be different.” “When given the opportunity, we will show leadership that is inclusive, caring and accountable,” he added.
The former Governor of Anambra State further disclosed that the party would soon embark on a nationwide engagement tour to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and deepen political education across the country.
“We will soon start visiting all the states of the federation. We don’t want members to always come to Abuja, we will go to them, we will 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
The NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, in his remarks described the party’s rapid growth as extraordinary and attributed its progress to collective sacrifice and divine guidance.
He was reported to have compared the party to the biblical Noah’s ark, saying it was 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 done 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 commence a comprehensive reconciliation process.
“We will do a holistic reconciliation, we ask all to remain committed to it. “Those who lost today should remain hopeful because tomorrow holds opportunities still,” Dickson said.
