By ALO 360 Editorial Board
The issue of transparency has emerged as a major talking point in the aftermath of the nationwide primaries conducted by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to select candidates for various elective positions ahead of the 2027 general election.
To be sure, the party deserves commendation for conducting a nationwide primary exercise barely five months after its registration. In a political environment where many parties exist only as election vehicles, the NDC’s effort to build structures and organise internal contests is noteworthy. However, commendation should not preclude scrutiny. For a party that presents itself as an ideologically driven alternative and a vehicle for democratic renewal, accountability and transparency must remain non-negotiable values.
Although the party had only one presidential aspirant in former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, contests for other elective positions were fiercely competitive. It is these contests that have now raised questions about the credibility of some aspects of the process.
Unlike the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), whose primaries generated controversy over questionable vote tallies, the NDC’s results appeared more reflective of actual voting patterns. Yet, concerns have arisen, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where activist Aisha Yesufu and former Nollywood actor Emeka Ike have alleged that no proper primary election was conducted for the FCT senatorial district and the Bwari/AMAC federal constituency, respectively.
These allegations alone may not be sufficient to invalidate the entire exercise. However, they are serious enough to warrant the attention of the party leadership. In democratic institutions, injustice to one member ultimately weakens confidence in the system as a whole. The NDC must therefore move swiftly to investigate these complaints and address any genuine grievances before they grow into a larger crisis.
In a video that has since gone viral, Yesufu challenged the party leadership to uphold transparency and honour its commitments. She maintained that she would have accepted defeat if the process had been transparent and fair. While it is true that allegations of manipulation often accompany electoral defeats, especially in Nigeria, where political contests are frequently treated as winner-takes-all affairs, the burden remains on institutions to ensure that their processes are beyond reproach.
Justice, as the saying goes, must not only be done; it must be seen to be done. In politics, perception can be just as consequential as reality. A party that seeks to convince Nigerians that it can govern differently must first demonstrate that it can conduct its internal affairs differently.
The NDC is still in its infancy. That presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is to avoid the pitfalls that have eroded public confidence in older political parties. The opportunity is to establish a culture of transparency, fairness, and internal democracy from the outset.
The party leadership should therefore engage aggrieved aspirants, provide clarity where necessary, and pursue reconciliation where possible. Internal disagreements are inevitable in every political organisation; what distinguishes credible parties is how they respond to them.
As preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, the NDC must recognise that its greatest asset is not merely its candidates or growing popularity, but the public perception that it represents a departure from politics as usual. Preserving that perception requires transparency, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to due process.
The NDC has passed the test of organisation. It must now pass the more important test of credibility.
