fresh political crisis has erupted within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Bayelsa State following allegations by some party supporters that former First Lady Patience Jonathan influenced the outcome of recent party primary elections.
The aggrieved supporters claimed that the primary process was manipulated to favor certain aspirants, alleging that powerful political interests interfered in what should have been a transparent and democratic exercise. The allegations have triggered tension within the party, with several members calling for an independent review of the primary election results.
According to party sources, some aspirants and their supporters expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the primaries, insisting that the process did not reflect the wishes of delegates and grassroots members. They accused party leaders of sidelining popular contenders and imposing preferred candidates.
The protesters further alleged that the former First Lady played a significant role behind the scenes in influencing decisions that shaped the outcome of the exercise. However, no official evidence has been presented publicly to substantiate the claims.
The controversy has sparked divisions among party stakeholders, with some members demanding immediate intervention from the national leadership of the NDC to prevent the crisis from escalating ahead of future elections.
Meanwhile, supporters of the candidates declared winners have dismissed the allegations as baseless, arguing that the primaries were conducted in accordance with party guidelines. They urged dissatisfied members to utilize internal dispute-resolution mechanisms rather than engage in actions capable of undermining party unity.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from representatives of Patience Jonathan were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. Party officials have also yet to issue a comprehensive statement addressing the allegations.
Political observers warn that if the dispute is not resolved quickly, it could weaken the party’s cohesion in Bayelsa and affect its preparations for upcoming electoral contests.
The NDC leadership is expected to engage aggrieved stakeholders in the coming days as efforts intensify to restore confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes and maintain unity among member
