By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to introduce electronic voting for all future party primaries and congresses as part of efforts to strengthen internal democracy and improve the credibility of its electoral processes.
Founder and National Leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, disclosed this on Wednesday at the party’s Second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, while reflecting on the conduct of the party’s recent primaries and the lessons learned from the exercise.
According to Dickson, the party has resolved to abandon manual voting in its internal elections and embrace technology-driven processes going forward.
“These primaries we have done will be the first and the last primary that will be done manually in the NDC,” Dickson declared.
He said the decision was informed by the party’s commitment to innovation and its determination to set a new standard for internal party democracy in Nigeria.
“In the next couple of months, we shall unveil our platform for electronic voting for all offices, congresses, and so on, primaries in the NDC, because we believe there is enough provision, enough capacity, and experience in the world, and even in this country to go for electronically driven technology-driven electoral processes in Nigeria,” he said.
The former Bayelsa State governor noted that while the party’s recent primaries recorded some complaints, the leadership had put mechanisms in place to address grievances in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.
He appealed to aggrieved members to remain committed to the party’s vision, stressing that no political process is entirely free of dissatisfaction.
“For those who feel that outcomes have not met their satisfaction, we understand, we agree, we sympathize with you, but please bear with us. We are not as old as even the other party, and yet we are doing better than them,” he said.
Dickson maintained that the adoption of electronic voting would enhance transparency, reduce disputes and position the party as a leader in electoral innovation.
“Nigeria is lagging behind. Some of us have been fighting not only for electronic transmission of result, but even for electronic voting itself. And if Nigeria is not seeing reason, the NDC will show the way in terms of electronic voting,” he stated.
The NDC leader said the party envisages a future where members can participate in internal elections electronically from their locations while results are monitored in real time through dedicated control centres.
“By the next time, people will just be queuing up, or even staying in their houses and voting with their phone. And from our control rooms in the state headquarters, state offices and the national control room, the results will be displayed for all elections, primary elections and congresses,” he said.
Dickson urged party members to continue making sacrifices for the growth of the party, assuring them that the leadership remained committed to building a transparent, inclusive and technologically advanced political platform.
He added that reconciliation efforts were already underway to address concerns arising from the primaries and strengthen unity within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Earlier in his remarks, the presidential candidate of the party, Mr. Peter Obi, appealed to members to make sacrifices and remain united as the NDC prepares for the next phase of its political activities.
Obi noted that the party still had significant tasks ahead, including the conclusion of its primary election processes and preparations for the forthcoming campaign season.
“Please, I am begging all of you to be more tolerant, more understanding, and more willing to make sacrifices as we go through this process,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor assured members who were unsuccessful during the primaries that the party would remain inclusive and provide opportunities for all.
“For those of you who did not win today, you will win tomorrow. I assure you that those who did not succeed today will have opportunities tomorrow. We will accommodate everybody,” he stated.
Obi also reiterated the party’s commitment to offering Nigerians a different style of leadership if elected into office.
“When this party has the opportunity to form government, we will show Nigerians what a responsible and caring party looks like,” he said.
In his welcome address, the National Chairman of the party, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, described the progress made by the NDC since its registration as remarkable, noting that the party had successfully conducted membership registration, congresses, a national convention and primaries within a short period.
“A party that was just two months old had already gone through congresses, a convention and primaries. Within two to three months, we have produced the best presidential candidate in this country, one who is ready to take Nigeria to where God has ordained it to be,” Zuwoghe said.
The party chairman attributed the rapid growth of the NDC to what he described as divine guidance and expressed confidence in the party’s future.
“I have a very strong conviction that this NDC, which has been likened to our generation’s Noah’s Ark, shall not fail until Nigeria is delivered,” he added.
The NEC meeting was attended by members of the National Working Committee, state chairmen, elected party officials, candidates and other stakeholders from across the country as the party intensified preparations for the 2027 elections.
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