Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has called for unity within the party following its recently concluded primary elections, urging aggrieved aspirants to accept the outcomes and work together for the party’s broader political goals.
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Speaking at the party’s second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, Obi said the strength of the NDC would depend less on individual victories and more on members’ ability to set aside personal ambitions in favour of building a credible political alternative for Nigeria.
His appeal came amid efforts by the party leadership to strengthen internal cohesion after a series of congresses, conventions and primary elections held within a relatively short period.
“I want to sincerely appeal to all our aspirants, those who participated in our primaries, to accept the outcomes in good faith.
“In every democratic process, there will be winners and there will be others who did not succeed. What matters most is what we do after the process, ” he said.
The former Anambra State governor said competition was a normal part of democratic organisation, but warned that unresolved grievances could weaken the party’s larger mission.
According to him, members must demonstrate patience, understanding and sacrifice as the party consolidates its structures in its early stages.
“We have done congresses, we have done conventions, and we have done primaries all within about 90 days.
”Even established parties struggle with this. We must therefore show understanding, patience and sacrifice for the greater good of the party,” he said.
Obi described the speed of the party’s organisational growth as significant, noting that the NDC had achieved in months what often takes other parties years.
He also urged members to remain focused on the party’s core objective of offering Nigerians a new model of leadership based on accountability, inclusiveness and compassion.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the NDC, Moses Cleopas, described the party’s rise as remarkable, crediting its progress to collective effort and what he termed divine guidance.
He said the pace at which the party moved from registration to conventions and primaries reflected strong commitment among members to build a viable political platform.
National Leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, also commended the party’s resilience, saying it had defied early predictions that it would collapse shortly after its formation.
“From day one, we were not expected to survive. But we have conducted congresses, primaries and conventions, and we are still standing strong. That alone is a testimony,” he said.
He urged unsuccessful aspirants not to see defeat as the end of their political journey, stressing that persistence and unity remained essential for long-term success.
“We must not see internal competition as division. Those who did not win today should remain hopeful; tomorrow still holds opportunities,” he said.
