NDC to introduce electronic voting for future primaries — Dickson

…Warns Against Hijack of Party Ahead of 2027
…Says NDC Will Not Serve Personal Presidential Ambitions
…Party Inaugurates 21-Member Selection Committee
…Peter Obi Assures Aspirants of Fairness and Inclusion

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to introduce electronic voting for its future primary elections as part of efforts to strengthen internal democracy and build what it described as a modern, transparent, and institution-driven political party.

The National Leader of the NDC and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, disclosed this on Monday night during the inaugural Aspirants Dinner organised for party stakeholders and screened aspirants in Abuja.

Dickson said the proposed reform was aimed at deepening participation within the party and ensuring that future primaries are credible, transparent, and technologically driven.

He explained that the party had already developed a mobile voting application that would eventually allow registered members to vote directly from their mobile phones during party primaries and congresses.

According to him, the platform was initially scheduled for deployment but was temporarily suspended to allow further testing and coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Electronic voting, we have designed it and even set to be deployed, but because of the time we have, INEC too says they want to be there, so we are working out those minor details,” Dickson said.

“But after now, any other primary in NDC in the next three months down, and certainly by the next round of elections, every registered voter will use their phone to vote because that is the direction Nigerian general elections should be going.”

The former governor said the NDC was determined to become a model political party founded on transparency, innovation, and democratic principles rather than personal political interests.

‘NDC Not a One-Man Show’

Dickson also warned against attempts to turn the party into what he described as a “special-purpose vehicle” for the ambitions of any individual politician ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His remarks come amid growing political realignments involving major opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

“We are not building a special-purpose vehicle for any individual,” Dickson declared.

“We are building together a political party that will stand the test of time. We want to build a party of principles, a party with a clear ideology of service, a party that is not a one-man show.”

He likened the NDC’s long-term vision to enduring political institutions such as South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) and major political parties in Europe and the Americas.

The senator representing Bayelsa West further disclosed that the party had inaugurated a 21-member Selection Committee to work with party organs and caucus leaders in streamlining the candidate selection process following the screening of aspirants for governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly positions.

Dickson stressed that the NDC was building leadership structures from the ward to the national level to encourage grassroots participation, inclusion, and mentorship opportunities for youths and women.

He acknowledged that time constraints and the evolving nature of the reforms meant the party could not guarantee a completely flawless process immediately, but insisted the leadership remained committed to fairness and transparency.

“We want to be a democratic movement where a child of nobody can join the NDC and still be given a fair chance,” he said.

“All you need is your registration card in the NDC. The party will provide mentorship, political enlightenment, and leadership opportunities.”

Peter Obi Assures Aspirants

Also speaking at the event, the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, assured aspirants that their sacrifices and contributions to the party would not go unnoticed, even if they eventually failed to secure tickets during the primaries.

Obi praised aspirants for remaining committed to nation-building despite the country’s current political and economic challenges.

“I am here this evening to assure you that your sacrifice will not be in vain,” Obi said.

“All of us will not succeed, all of us will not be selected, all of us will not be winners, but it is time we begin to recognise people who have worked hard and sacrificed for this country.”

The former Anambra State governor urged members not to abandon the political process because of temporary setbacks, stressing that building a better Nigeria would require patience, sacrifice, and sustained commitment.

Obi also reflected on his recent visit to South Africa, where he met political leaders and members of the Nigerian community over concerns about the treatment of Nigerians abroad.

According to him, many Nigerians living overseas expressed frustration over worsening conditions at home, with some saying they preferred remaining abroad despite facing hardship.

“If things were working in Nigeria the way they should, most of our people abroad would not be there,” Obi said.

“Nigeria once played a major role in securing nations and leading peacekeeping operations globally, but today Nigeria cannot secure itself. That is unacceptable.”

Galadima Urges Patience Among Aspirants

Meanwhile, NDC chieftain Buba Galadima appealed to aspirants to remain patient and committed to the party despite intense competition for tickets across constituencies.

Galadima noted that some constituencies had as many as 17 aspirants contesting for a single ticket and urged unsuccessful contenders not to abandon the party.

“Only one person can emerge in each constituency, but those who do not secure tickets today should remain and continue to build the party,” he said.

“When we form government, everybody will have enough to contribute and participate.”

Several aspirants who attended the dinner also commended the screening process conducted by the party leadership, describing it as transparent, merit-driven, and credible.

Some defectors from other political parties cited insecurity, corruption, and economic hardship as reasons for joining the NDC, while others pledged loyalty to the party regardless of the outcome of the primaries.

An aspirant for the Rivers East Senatorial District, Dr Benjamin Okuolo, described the 2027 elections as a contest between the ruling establishment and Nigerians seeking change through the NDC platform.

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