The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it has tightened its screening process to stop political aspirants from exploiting the popularity of Labour Party’s Peter Obi and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso to secure elective positions.
Party spokesman Osa Director disclosed this on Thursday, May 28, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, where he said the party had learnt lessons from the 2023 general elections.
According to him, the NDC is now taking extra steps to ensure only credible and politically grounded aspirants emerge under its platform.
“We have learnt from the incident of the past that happened in the Labour Party, and that was why during our screening, we took particular special notice of the fact that a lot of people, especially people from the diaspora who have never participated in politics, rushed to get a form under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC),” Director said.
He added that many of the aspirants were motivated by the popularity of opposition figures rather than genuine political commitment.
“As you have said, [they did so] probably to ride on the Obi-Kwankwaso wave and also because they see that the NDC is a vibrant alternative platform to the mess we’re having in the country today, and we are conscious of all that,” he said.
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Director explained that the party questioned aspirants extensively during screening to test their readiness and understanding of grassroots politics.
“Even during the screening, most of them were asked all those questions [about their vision and credentials], so they know. And if you are not on the ground. Who is going to vote for you?” he asked.
Obi was the Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023, while Kwankwaso flew the NNPP flag in the same election cycle.
Both men’s popularity, according to analysts, attracted a wave of new entrants into their parties during the election buildup, some of whom later defected after securing political offices.
Director said the NDC is determined not to repeat similar mistakes.
“So, flowing from that experience, the NDC has also told all the aspirants that it is not going to be business as usual. We are going to check your pedigree,” Director said.
“If you don’t have a verifiable pedigree and commitment to the party, to the principles and values that the party is espousing, then you are not going to pick a ticket and fly the flag of the NDC. So, we are learning from the mistakes of the past,” he added.