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Members of the caucus of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in the House of Representatives on Wednesday reaffirmed their loyalty to the party and pledged to hold the Federal Government accountable as the opposition bloc positions itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lawmakers, led by the House Minority Leader, Honourable Victor Afam Ogene, paid a courtesy visit to the National Leader of the NDC, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, at his residence in Abuja.

Among those in the delegation received by the NDC National Leader were Honourable George Ozodinobi, Honourable Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Honourable Lillian Orogbu, Honourable Atta Thaddeous Achief, Honourable Engineer Chijioke Okereke, Honourable Peter Ozokwe, Honourable Murphy Osaro Omoruyi, Honourable Engineer Emeka Idu, Honourable Manuchim Omezuruike, Honourable Muktar Umar Zakari, Honourable Yusuf Umar Datti, Honourable Peter Aniekwe, and Honourable Uchenna Harris Okonkwo.

Also on hand to receive the lawmakers alongside the National Leader were the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi; former Kano State Governor, who also flew the flag of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 presidential poll, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; and other leaders and members of the NDC.

Addressing the gathering on behalf of the caucus, Hon. Ogene said the visit was aimed at reassuring the leadership of the party of the lawmakers’ commitment to the ideals of the NDC and their determination to serve Nigerians through effective opposition politics.

“This evening, we are here as members of the House of Representatives Caucus of the NDC to reassure you of our commitment to serve the people of Nigeria in keeping with the motto of our party, ‘Service to the People,’” Ogene stated.

The Minority Leader stressed that the caucus would remain focused on ensuring accountability and democratic governance in the country.

“In rendering this service, we will hold the government of the day accountable to the people so that they would render to the Nigerian people the basic necessities associated with democracy and civil rule,” he said.

Ogene described the NDC as the leading opposition force in the National Assembly, particularly in the House of Representatives, adding that the party’s growing numbers would strengthen its voice nationally and internationally.

“Your Excellencies, we are now the major opposition party in Parliament, especially the House of Representatives from where we operate, and with this number our voice will be strengthened. It will be heard, it will reverberate across not just Nigeria but across the world to hold the government to its responsibilities,” he declared.

He further assured the party leadership of the caucus’ unwavering allegiance to both the NDC and the Nigerian people.

“We assure you of our commitment, we assure you of our loyalty to the party, and we assure you of our loyalty to the Nigerian people. Thank you for receiving us, Your Excellencies,” Ogene added.

Responding on behalf of Senator Dickson and other party leaders, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso commended the lawmakers for their loyalty and dedication to the party, describing loyalty as a rare virtue in contemporary Nigerian politics.

“Your Excellency, the leader of our party, the NDC, Senator Dickson; Your Excellency, the former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Peter O’Dea; Honourable members, Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, members of the press, on behalf of my humble self, the leader, and of course the former Governor of Anambra State, and all other leaders, the young men and women who are here, I would like to welcome you to the Leader’s House,” Kwankwaso said.

He thanked the caucus members for identifying with the leadership of the party and praised their steadfastness.

“We have to thank you for the loyalty, which of course is a very rare commodity these days. We appreciate you and we want to assure you on behalf of the leader and the party that we’ll continue to do whatever it takes to carry you with us so that together we can succeed,” he stated.

Kwankwaso also used the occasion to call on Nigerians to register with the NDC and participate actively in the electoral process ahead of the next general elections.

“Let me take the opportunity also to urge Nigerians to ensure that they register with the NDC and also register with INEC as voters. That will give everybody the opportunity to bring about the required positive change that is coming, by the grace of God, in 2027,” he said.

The former Kano governor further charged party members to intensify grassroots mobilisation across their constituencies, particularly among youths and supporters of political change.

“I also want to urge our members, all of you, to go back to your constituencies, mobilise our people, especially the young men and women, and of course the nationalists who are supporting the change we are talking about in this country,” Kwankwaso added.

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Former Governor of Ogun State and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has declared that he would defeat Governor Dapo Abiodun overwhelmingly in the forthcoming senatorial primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.

Daniel, who spoke on Tuesday during an empowerment programme organised by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Movement in Ijebu-Ode, insisted that he remained the popular choice among party members and residents of the district.

“Without any doubt, in a free and fair primary, I will not just win, I will win overwhelmingly,” Daniel declared.

“Go to town and check with the people. Ask them questions. You’re here; on your way out, go to the people and ask questions about who is on the ground.”

He alleged that some forces within the party were planning to intimidate members and suppress voter participation during the primary election.

“What the governor and others depend on is that they’re going to use violence and scare people from coming out to vote. And that’s why I’m telling our people that they should not be deterred; they should come out and vote,” he said.

The rivalry between Daniel and Abiodun has deepened in recent weeks following a meeting of APC stakeholders in Ogun East, where the governor was reportedly endorsed as the consensus candidate for the district’s senatorial seat.

Daniel was reportedly prevented from entering the venue of the meeting held in Ijebu-Ode.

Speaking after the meeting, Former Ogun East senator, Lekan Mustapha, said party leaders adopted Abiodun because they believed he possessed the capacity to represent the district effectively at the Senate.

“We will put a body together to deliver this message to our governor that he has been adopted as the consensus candidate,” Mustapha had said.

However, Daniel’s political structure, under the BATOGD Movement, rejected the endorsement.

The movement’s Deputy Director-General, Tayo Onayemi, argued that the Electoral Act and APC constitution only recognise consensus backed by a written agreement of all aspirants or direct primaries.

“There is nothing like endorsement in the Electoral Act recently signed into law by the President. What we have is consensus by agreement or direct primaries; anything short of this is null and void,” Onayemi stated.

Both Daniel and Abiodun obtained and submitted APC nomination forms and appear set for the party’s primary.

During Tuesday’s event, which featured free medical tests as well as the distribution of empowerment items to his constituents, Daniel accused the Ogun State Government of frustrating developmental projects he had been facilitating in Ogun East.

“The biggest problem we have in going ahead with that project is my brother and our governor. And I don’t see why this should be like this,” he said.

He further criticised the state government over infrastructure and healthcare challenges in the district.

The former governor questioned why the government had allegedly failed to improve medical staffing and public health facilities.

“Why has the government not been able to get international staff? We’re going to need more doctors and nurses,” he added.

Daniel also cited the large turnout at the BATOGD event as evidence of his grassroots support.

“The notice of this meeting was issued two days ago. The people are here standing; they’re trying to stop it again,” he said.

“So, how do you think the party can make progress if you don’t take into account the position and expressions of the masses of people that you see here?”

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced the commencement of the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for aspirants seeking to contest elective positions on the platform of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday and jointly signed by the party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, and Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the party released a detailed timetable for the conduct of its screening exercises and primary elections.

According to the statement, the sale of Expression of Interest Forms will begin on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, and close on Monday, May 18, 2026.

The party disclosed that screening and interview sessions for aspirants would hold from Tuesday, May 19, to Thursday, May 21, 2026, to determine eligibility for the purchase of Nomination Forms.

It advised aspirants to appear for the screening exercise with all relevant credentials and supporting documents.

The NDC stated that the sale of Nomination Forms would commence immediately after the screening exercise, running from Thursday, May 21, to Saturday, May 23, 2026, while completed forms are expected to be submitted on or before Monday, May 25, 2026.

Appeals arising from the screening process, according to the party, will be entertained on May 25 and 26, while primary elections for various elective positions are scheduled for May 27 and 28, 2026.

The party added that its Presidential Primary Election would take place on May 29, 2026, in Abuja.

The statement further explained that aspirants seeking tickets for State Houses of Assembly would be screened in their respective states, while aspirants for National Assembly and presidential positions would undergo screening at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

It also noted that governorship primaries would be conducted at the local government level.

According to the party, all aspirants would be required to sign undertakings in line with the party’s guidelines and code of conduct.

The NDC assured members and aspirants of a transparent, inclusive, and democratic process in the conduct of its primaries, adding that the party would adopt the “open secret ballot” system to guarantee credibility, fairness, and internal democracy.

The party also said its approved nomination fees remain among the lowest when compared with those of other major political parties in the country.

Under the approved fee structure, aspirants for State House of Assembly seats are expected to pay N1 million for Expression of Interest Forms and N1.5 million for Nomination Forms.

House of Representatives aspirants will pay N2 million and N4 million respectively, while Senate aspirants are to pay N3 million for Expression of Interest Forms and N5 million for Nomination Forms.

Governorship aspirants are expected to pay N10 million and N20 million respectively, while presidential aspirants will pay N20 million for Expression of Interest Forms and N40 million for Nomination Forms.

The party added that female aspirants and persons living with disabilities would enjoy discounted rates, paying 50 per cent and 25 per cent of the prescribed fees respectively across all categories.

The NDC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting transparent and credible primaries capable of producing competent candidates for the 2027 general elections.