NCP leadership set to adopt consensus presidential candidate, lists criteria
By Cyriakus Nnaji
Deputy National Chairmen (NDC) of the National Conscience Party (NCP) have resolved to adopt a consensus presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2023 election.
The group made the declaration during at the 10th Consultative Meeting of the National Deputy Chairmen which was held on Sunday, February 29, via a virtual platform.
The NDC who are leaders of the party in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria disclosed that they were shocked to hear that a group within the party has adopted the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi as NCP candidate.
NDC agreed that issue of adoption of any candidate should be done after proper consultations by the party leadership have been carried out.
In a press release signed by Comrade Lateef Adebola, Acting National General Secretary; Pastor Peters Omoragbon, National Deputy Chairman (South-South); and Comrade Waheed Lawal, National Deputy Chairman (Southwest), NDC resolve that a consensus candidate shall be adopted by the Party after proper consultations by the leadership.
The group frowned at the action of those who went behind the party and the zonal leaderships to anoint a particular candidate as the candidate of the NCP. “The NDC regret to note that, we were never consulted either individually or collectively nor was a meeting called by the National Chairman and Acting National General Secretary since October 16, 2022 when the National Chairman was appointed Spokesperson for the Labour Party to discuss the issue of collaboration or alliance with any political party until January 22, 2023 when it received the news from the media that the NCP has adopted the Labour Party candidate.”
The National Deputy Chairmen averred that none of the zonal leaders are under any obligation to support the purported adoption of the Labour Party candidate. “To that extent, the NDCs resolves herein that a consensus candidate shall be adopted by the Party after proper consultations by the leadership of the Party at all levels. And as such, the NDC (an each under their jurisdiction) are not bound by the adoption of any candidate).”
The Deputy Chairmen stated that they remain committed to the continuous dialogue between the National Chairman (Dr. Yunusa Tanko) and the NDC. “The National Deputy Chairmen remain committed to the continuous dialogue between the National Chairman, Dr. Yunusa Tanko and the NDC and request that the National Chairman reconsider his position not to attend a meeting with the NDC.”
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They added that the best practice of conflict resolution is through dialogue. “Therefore, the door for that dialogue remains open. The NDCs shall facilitate another meeting between the National Deputy Chairmen, National Chairman and Acting National General Secretary as soon as possible.”
