NDC inaugurates reconciliation panel as Utomi, Galadima seek party unity

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has established a National Reconciliation Committee to address grievances among its members and foster unity in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The committee was inaugurated in Abuja, just two days after the party announced its formation.

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I feel humble and challenged by this assignment. I’m extremely privileged by the company that I have been put. Buba Galadima and I have been fighting for 50 years, and we are still very good friends. So it means that we can equally make other people become friends.

Former presidential candidate Prof. Pat Utomi, who chairs the committee, expressed confidence in its ability to reunite aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders. He described the assignment as both a privilege and a significant responsibility, aiming to restore unity while maintaining the party's focus on Nigeria's future. Utomi highlighted that the NDC is envisioned as a party for young people, given that the country's median age is 19.5 years.

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It’s a privilege to be able to work with such people, which shows that it is possible for us to truly get this thing done for everybody to see the future. And just by coincidence, I happen to be also involved in the process of helping the party to develop its manifesto and policies.

Buba Galadima, the committee's co-chairman, acknowledged that reconciling members would be a challenging task but conveyed optimism about the committee's potential success. He noted that many committee members have long-standing relationships and experience working together, suggesting this familiarity will aid their efforts. Galadima referred to the process of candidate selection in Nigeria's Electoral Act as inherently difficult for opposition parties, implying that internal reconciliation is a necessary step to overcome such systemic challenges.

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I have no doubt this is going to be a straightforward assignment, even though it’s will be a very hard nut to crack. Let me also assure you all that this is the beginning of the journey to victory. Most of the members of this committee are people who are close and know me for a very long time in the trenches. It’s not easy.

Utomi also mentioned his involvement in developing the NDC's manifesto and policies, emphasizing a shared agreement on focusing on the youth and envisioning them as "global champions." The committee's formation is a direct response to internal disputes and potential litigation arising from recently concluded primaries, signaling the party's commitment to internal cohesion.

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I want to say again that the process of bringing out candidates in the Electoral Act is such that it is impossible for any opposition party to, without rancour, bring out candidates.