Post by Vanguard Newspapers (@vanguardngrnews)

…NDC inaugurates reconciliation panel

…Galadima blames Electoral Act for opposition primary disputes,

…urges aggrieved aspirants to embrace reconciliation

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has inaugurated a National Reconciliation Committee to resolve disputes arising from its congresses and primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, with party leaders urging aggrieved members to place national interest above personal ambition.

Speaking at the inauguration on Thursday in Abuja, Chairman of the committee, Prof. Pat Utomi, said the exercise was not merely about resolving internal disagreements but about strengthening the party for what he described as the broader task of rebuilding Nigeria.

Utomi, a political economist, said Nigeria must rise above internal political divisions and reclaim its leadership role in Africa, warning that personal ambition and political self-interest had continued to undermine national development.

He said the country’s future depended on political actors putting collective interest ahead of individual aspirations.

“I feel humbled and challenged by this assignment because I know that the future of our country rests on it in very many ways—more than we immediately imagine,” he said.

According to him, Africa continues to be viewed globally through the lens of political instability despite its enormous economic potential.

Recalling discussions with international investors and policymakers, Utomi said the continent’s vast natural resources and youthful population positioned it to become a major driver of global economic growth if its leaders embraced unity and development.

He urged party members to embrace the African philosophy of Ubuntu, stressing that no aspirant who participated in building the NDC would be left without a role in the party.

“There is nobody who entered this process that will not have a place in building a greater Nigeria. Some who did not secure nominations today may eventually become even greater champions in other capacities,” he said.

Utomi also challenged the party to remain focused on youth development, noting that Nigeria’s youthful population requires visionary leadership capable of delivering long-term national transformation.

Galadima blames Electoral Act

Co-Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Buba Galadima, acknowledged that reconciling aggrieved aspirants would be challenging, attributing many disputes arising from party primaries to provisions of the current Electoral Act.

He argued that the existing legal framework makes it difficult for opposition parties to conduct seamless candidate selection processes.

Galadima recalled his experience as National Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), recounting how prolonged litigation arising from the party’s 2011 primaries led to a court judgment against him after the party had merged into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He urged aggrieved aspirants to emulate the late Mallam Aminu Kano by accepting electoral outcomes in the interest of party unity.

“Only one person can fly the party’s flag at a time. What we can offer members is patriotism and the opportunity to rescue Nigeria. We shall persuade every aggrieved aspirant to look beyond personal ambition and embrace the larger national interest,” he said.

Committee to rebuild confidence

Earlier, National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Cleopas Moses, said the committee’s assignment went beyond settling disputes, describing it as an effort to rebuild confidence within the party.

He acknowledged that the rapid growth of the six-month-old political party and the speed with which it conducted congresses, its national convention and primaries had inevitably generated grievances among members.

“Your assignment is not merely to settle disputes; it is to rebuild confidence.

“There is no way a party can pass through candidate selection without some members becoming dissatisfied. But the greater objective before us is far bigger than the ambition of any individual,” he said.

Moses urged state chairmen, zonal leaders and stakeholders to cooperate fully with the committee to ensure its success.

He also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity and the economy, alleging that many Nigerians could no longer farm safely because of rising insecurity and kidnapping.

According to him, the NDC was established to offer Nigerians an alternative political platform capable of addressing the country’s challenges.

He described the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as symbols of hope, stressing that the party’s mission extends beyond individuals to the broader objective of national renewal.

“We are not fighting for Peter Obi alone. Peter Obi and Kwankwaso are symbols of hope, but what we are truly fighting for is Nigeria,” he said.

The National Reconciliation Committee is chaired by Prof. Pat Utomi, with Alhaji Buba Galadima serving as Co-Chairman.

Other members include Barrister Mohammed Sani Takori as Vice Chairman, Comrade Babatunde Ali as Secretary, National Woman Leader Mrs Dudu Manuga, Hon. Salvador Adegoke Moshood and the party’s FCT Chairman, Alhaji Aruna. Zonal reconciliation committees have also been constituted to support the national body.

The post Nigeria must lead Africa’s renaissance, rise above petty political differences – Utomi appeared first on Vanguard News.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/08/nigeria-must-lead-africas-renaissance-rise-above-petty-political-differences-utomi/

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