Who really owns NDC? – Vanguard News
By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja
As the political landscape shifts in anticipation of the 2027 general election, renewed focus has turned to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) amidst significant legal and political events. In June, the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, overturned a previous ruling from December 2025 that had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party. This decision has since been reversed on appeal.
These legal developments have reignited discussions about the interests shaping the emerging party. Earlier reports from Saturday Vanguard have indicated concerns that the NDC may face internal challenges following the selection of its presidential candidate. Insiders have alleged that some individuals connected to the party have maintained ties with influential members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
While these allegations have not been independently confirmed, they contribute to an ongoing public dialogue about the integrity of new opposition platforms and whether external influences could jeopardize the formation of a strong coalition leading up to the 2027 elections.
In a report published on May 9 under the headline “2027: Who owns NDC? Fear of moles rocking party spreads,” Saturday Vanguard revealed growing unease within sections of the opposition coalition. Insiders expressed worries that the NDC might already include individuals sympathetic to the APC within its broader support base.
This anxiety arose following the breakdown of the ADC coalition involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi. Some insiders cautioned that the NDC may not develop into the independent opposition platform many supporters hope for.
Sources familiar with the ongoing coalition discussions have indicated a heightened caution regarding the recent split between Obi and Abubakar, particularly as it relates to the NDC. Concerns were raised about potential connections between influential figures supporting the NDC and elements within the ruling establishment.
One source commented on the strategic maneuvering involving the APC, stating, “We have to be very careful about this Obi-Atiku split because there’s a game being played by the APC that many people are not aware of. Even the NDC that they are running to has ties that warrant scrutiny.”
Another source, who is engaged in broader opposition negotiations, noted that there is a prevailing fear of “moles” undermining efforts to solidify the NDC into a cohesive opposition front prior to the elections. This anxiety appears to stem more from the political backgrounds of key supporters rather than the formal founders of the party.
As discussions and political realignments continue among opposition leaders following recent defections and negotiations, the situation may become clearer after the conclusion of ongoing party primaries set to take place later this month. However, as of now, no evidence has publicly surfaced linking the NDC leadership to the APC or the Presidency.