NDC supporters protest, want aspirant declared FCT senatorial candidate

Some aggrieved members and supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest in Abuja, demanding that the party declares Ezekiel Musa Dalhatu as its senatorial candidate for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the 2027 elections. The protesters, drawn from the six area councils of the FCT, marched to the residence of the party’s leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, carrying banners and placards with inscriptions such as: “For fairness, equity and justice, declare MC Gida Gida as NDC senatorial candidate for 2027,” “We are solidly behind Ezekiel Musa Dalhatu as NDC senatorial candidate in the FCT,” and “NDC national leaders should respect internal democracy.” Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Hon. Ephraim Simon Dangara said members and supporters of the party embarked on the peaceful demonstration to press for the declaration of Dalhatu as the party’s senatorial candidate for the FCT. Dangara expressed disappointment that although the party’s national leadership had announced May 28 and 29, 2026, for the conduct of senatorial primaries, the exercise was not held. According to him, the party has remained silent on the matter and has neither adopted a consensus candidate nor conducted direct primaries for the FCT senatorial seat. He said supporters were backing Dalhatu because they believed the NDC stood for integrity, justice and equal opportunity for all aspirants without prejudice or favouritism. Dangara further stated that Dalhatu enjoys widespread grassroots support among youths, women and community leaders across the FCT, including both indigenes and non-indigenes. “We respectfully urge the party leadership to ensure that the legitimate wishes and aspirations of members and supporters across the FCT are respected,” he said. The protesters warned that any action perceived to be inconsistent with the party’s constitution and guidelines could create divisions and undermine the confidence supporters have reposed in the party. Addressing the protesters on behalf of Senator Dickson, a former national leader of the NDC, Alhaji Mohammed Kabir, commended them for conducting themselves peacefully. He informed them that the party’s national leadership would hold a meeting and that all senatorial aspirants would be invited to participate in deliberations on the matter.