NDC aspirant David Lahandu Dama has rejected the party’s candidate selection process for the Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, alleging that no primary election was conducted and calling for a review by the party’s national leadership.
Dama made the allegation during a press conference in Jos on Monday, where he accused the Plateau State leadership of the party of undermining internal democracy and sidelining legitimate aspirants.
According to him, the process that led to the emergence of the party’s candidate lacked transparency and failed to comply with democratic principles.
“When we joined the race to represent the people of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, we believed the NDC would offer a departure from the shortcomings of traditional party politics. Instead, what we have witnessed is a coordinated and undemocratic process,” he said.
The aspirant alleged that neither a primary election nor a genuine consensus arrangement was conducted before the candidate emerged, claiming that party leaders bypassed established procedures.
“There was no primary election conducted in the selection of who the party is expected to present as candidate for the House of Representatives. There was no definite, genuine consensus arrived at,” he stated.
Dama further accused the party leadership in Plateau State of engaging in what he described as a “backroom selection process” and warned that such actions could weaken the party’s credibility among its supporters.
He said the situation had created a disconnect between the party leadership and grassroots members, many of whom, according to him, had invested time and resources in building the party’s structure in the constituency.
The aspirant also called on the national leadership of the NDC to intervene and review the process that produced the candidate.
“We demand a total review of this selection process. We demand a return to the principles of rule of law and democratic accountability,”
Despite his grievances, Dama urged his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, noting that consultations were ongoing regarding the next political steps to be taken.
He maintained that the struggle for what he described as genuine representation in the constituency would continue.
While the allegations have sparked discussions among party supporters and political observers, the Plateau State leadership of the NDC had not publicly responded to the claims as of the time of publishing this report.
