Obidient Movement: Why NDC may collapse in 2027

By Tolulope Oke

The legal team leader of the Obedient Movement, Vincent Otakpupu, has warned that the National Democratic Coalition, NDC, could lose public confidence ahead of the 2027 elections if it repeats the failures of older political parties in Nigeria.

Otakpupu said the party’s rising popularity would mean little if it falls into the same pattern of manipulated primaries, weak internal discipline and disregard for democratic procedures.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News, he said the NDC must prove that it is truly different from the political platforms many Nigerians now accuse of failing the country.

“NDC must not repeat the failures of old political parties,” he said.

According to him, Nigerians are looking toward the NDC because they want a credible political alternative, not another party controlled by imposition, backroom deals and controversial nomination processes.

“There should be a departure from the old order,” he said.

Otakpupu said the biggest test before the NDC would be its ability to conduct credible, transparent and democratic primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

He warned that the party’s survival would depend on whether aspirants and members believe that its internal processes are fair.

“The capacity to handle a credible, free and fair primary election is already there,” he said.

He explained that the party’s constitution and internal structures were designed to promote fairness, discipline and democratic participation.

“The party constitution is sacrosanct,” he stated.

Otakpupu said the NDC had already put in place screening committees, appeal panels and internal dispute mechanisms to handle complaints before and after the primaries.

“Everything is in place,” he said.

He added that the party must avoid the practices that have damaged older political parties, including alleged candidate imposition, irregular nomination processes and manipulation of delegates or voters.

“There will be no rigging, there will be no ballot box snatching,” he said.

Otakpupu noted that many legal battles in Nigerian politics begin when political parties fail to obey their own constitutions or conduct credible primaries.

“What leads people to go and complain and go to court is when you try to conduct a sham,” he said.

He said the Electoral Act already provides clear procedures for consensus arrangements and direct primaries, stressing that parties must follow the law if they want to avoid internal crises.

“The Electoral Act has prescribed two modes of nomination,” he said.

According to him, transparent primaries would reduce the chances of post-primary disputes and court cases.

“If people queue behind you and someone defeats you publicly, you don’t need to go to court,” he said.

Otakpupu also acknowledged fears that former members of the APC, PDP and Labour Party joining the NDC could bring along the same political culture the coalition claims to oppose.

However, he argued that the future of the party would depend on its leadership, direction and values.

“It doesn’t matter who is coming, but who is the face of the party,” he said.

He linked the growing interest in the NDC to the influence of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

According to him, many Nigerians are joining or supporting the NDC because they are frustrated by hardship, insecurity and poor governance.

“People are trooping because they want change,” he said.

Otakpupu said Nigerians are demanding a political platform that can address hunger, unemployment, poor healthcare, weak education systems and insecurity.

“Nigerians are hungry,” he said.

He added that the NDC must focus on social justice, healthcare, education, security and economic reforms if it wants to maintain public trust.

“Three square meals is not a privilege, it is a fundamental right,” he said.

Otakpupu warned that the NDC’s 2027 chances would depend not only on public anger against the old order but on whether the party can show discipline, transparency and respect for internal democracy.