Who really owns NDC? Questions swirl amid political shifts
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Renewed attention is on the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) due to legal and political shifts ahead of the 2027 general election.
- A Federal High Court ruling regarding the NDC's registration was overturned on appeal, reviving questions about the party's backing.
- Concerns exist among some opposition figures that individuals linked to the ruling party may be influencing the NDC, potentially undermining opposition unity.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has become a focal point of political maneuvering as alignments shift in anticipation of the 2027 general election. Recent legal developments, including a Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja that was subsequently overturned on appeal, have reignited questions about the forces behind the emerging political party.
We have to be very, very careful about this Obi-Atiku split because thereโs a game being played by the APC that many people are not aware.
These legal twists echo earlier reports citing insider fears of internal sabotage within the NDC. Sources had expressed concern that individuals associated with the party maintained close ties to influential figures within the ruling establishment. While these claims remain unverified, they have fueled public debate about the independence of new opposition platforms and the potential for "fifth columnists" to disrupt efforts to form a strong coalition.
Concerns about the NDC's true ownership and potential infiltration by elements sympathetic to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have surfaced within opposition circles. Following the collapse of the ADC coalition, which involved prominent figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, some insiders are wary that the NDC might not become the independent opposition force many supporters hope for.
Even the NDC that they are running to. Do you know who owns the NDC? The man pulling the strings behind this thing is a former lawmaker who is a key member of the APC and enjoys access to the State House, Aso Villa.
Multiple sources involved in coalition discussions have indicated a growing caution regarding the recent Obi-Atiku split and the rapid consolidation around the NDC. One source suggested that influential figures connected to the NDC have close relationships with individuals in the ruling establishment. "We have to be very, very careful about this Obi-Atiku split because thereโs a game being played by the APC that many people are not aware," the source stated, adding that the NDC's leadership might be influenced by a former lawmaker with ties to the APC and access to the State House. The situation is expected to become clearer after the ongoing party primaries and internal alignments conclude.
The close supporters of the NDC are the PDP-APC people. So we will see what will happen. Itโs only a matter of time.
Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.