An aspirant for Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency seat under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Hon. David Lahandu Dama, has accused the Plateau State leadership of the party of undermining internal democracy and imposing a candidate without conducting a transparent primary election ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing a press conference on Monday in Jos, Dama expressed deep disappointment with the party’s leadership, describing the process that produced the party’s House of Representatives candidate as undemocratic and contrary to the principles upon which the party was founded.
He said he joined the race with the belief that the NDC would provide a credible alternative to the traditional political culture characterized by imposition, lack of transparency, and disregard for the wishes of party members.
According to him, recent developments within the party have shattered those expectations and exposed what he described as a coordinated effort to deny members the opportunity to choose their preferred candidate through a fair electoral process.
“Let it be known to the world today, that, the NDC on the Plateau has officially become a caricature of the old system, characterised by imposition, impunity, high-handedness, and lack of internal democratic accountability.” He stated.
Dama alleged that no primary election was conducted and that there was no genuine consensus among aspirants and stakeholders before the emergence of the party’s candidate for the constituency.
He maintained that the state leadership bypassed the constitutional provisions of the party as well as established democratic procedures, opting instead for what he termed a backroom arrangement driven by narrow interests.
The aspirant stated that the actions of the party leadership have created a widening gap between the party hierarchy and grassroots members who worked tirelessly to build support for the NDC across Plateau State.
“This party has without doubt been infiltrated by fifth columnists who seek to destroy it from within.” He added.
Describing the development as a moral and administrative failure, Dama said the NDC on the Plateau had become a reflection of the same political practices it once criticized in other parties.
He questioned why the party leadership failed to conduct direct primaries, arguing that such a process would have allowed members to freely select the most popular and widely accepted candidate.
The aspirant also claimed that individuals determined to weaken the party had infiltrated its structure and were responsible for actions capable of damaging the party’s credibility and future electoral prospects.
While acknowledging the disappointment of his supporters, Dama commended the thousands of youths, women, elders, and community leaders who have remained committed to his political vision and the growth of the party.
He assured them that the movement they built together would not be extinguished by what he described as the hijacking of party structures by a few powerful interests.
Dama called on the national leadership of the NDC to urgently intervene by reviewing the candidate selection process and restoring confidence in the party through adherence to the rule of law and democratic accountability.
He urged his supporters to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding, adding that consultations with stakeholders were ongoing and that his next political decision would be announced in the coming days.