The legal team leader of the Obedient Movement, Vincent Otakpupu, has said the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) must avoid repeating the internal crises, flawed primaries, and lack of internal democracy that have weakened older political parties in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Otakpupu said the growing popularity of the NDC comes largely from Nigerians seeking a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
“NDC must not repeat the failures of old political parties,” he said.
Otakpupu explained that many Nigerians have become frustrated with the internal disputes, controversial primaries, and governance failures associated with established political parties.
“There should be a departure from the old order,” he stated.
According to him, the NDC’s credibility will depend heavily on whether it can conduct transparent and democratic primaries without manipulation.
“The capacity to handle a credible, free and fair primary election is already there,” he said.
He stressed that the party’s constitution and internal structures were specifically designed to promote fairness, discipline, and democratic participation.
“The party constitution is sacrosanct,” he stated.
Otakpupu noted that the party has already established screening committees, appeal panels, and internal dispute mechanisms ahead of the primaries.
“Everything is in place,” he said.
According to him, the NDC intends to avoid practices often associated with other parties, including alleged imposition of candidates and irregular nomination processes.
“There will be no rigging, there will be no ballot box snatching,” he stated.
He said that internal party democracy remains one of the biggest tests facing the coalition as more aspirants and defectors continue joining the platform.
“That is why you see people trooping into NDC,” he said.
Otakpupu also linked the party’s growing popularity to the influence of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
“The face of Peter Obi is a face of good governance,” he stated.
According to him, Obi’s political image has strengthened public confidence in the NDC as a reform-driven political platform.
“People are trooping because they want change,” he said.
Otakpupu further said that many of the legal disputes and crises common in Nigerian political parties are usually caused by manipulated primaries and failure to follow party constitutions.
“What leads people to go and complain and go to court is when you try to conduct a sham,” he stated.
He explained that Nigerian electoral law already provides clear procedures for consensus arrangements and direct primaries.
“The Electoral Act has prescribed two modes of nomination,” he said.
According to him, transparent primaries would reduce post-election disputes within the party.
“If people queue behind you and someone defeats you publicly, you don’t need to go to court,” he stated.
Otakpupu acknowledged concerns that former members of the APC, PDP, and Labour Party joining the NDC could import the same political culture the coalition claims to oppose.
However, he insisted that the character and leadership direction of the party would determine its future.
“It doesn’t matter who is coming, but who is the face of the party,” he said.
He argued that Nigerians are increasingly desperate for political and economic reforms because of worsening hardship and insecurity.
“Nigerians are hungry,” he stated.
According to him, the NDC’s political appeal rests on promises of social justice, healthcare, education, security, and economic reforms.
“Three square meals is not a privilege, it is a fundamental right,” he said.
Otakpupu concluded that the NDC’s long-term credibility will depend on whether it can genuinely uphold internal democracy, transparent primaries, and rule-based leadership, warning that the coalition must avoid reproducing the same political practices Nigerians have rejected in older parties.
By Ojo Triumph
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