Former actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused the NDC of allegedly extorting aspirants during its primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kenneth Okonkwo Makes Fresh Allegation Against NDC
He made the allegation in a statement shared on his social media page, where he criticized the party’s internal processes.
According to him, the system has become heavily influenced by money and political power.
He claimed that many aspirants are being forced to pay huge sums before they can secure nomination opportunities.
Okonkwo described the situation as unhealthy for democracy and warned that it could discourage credible candidates from participating in politics.
“Tickets Are Being Sold,” Okonkwo Alleges
Okonkwo further alleged that party tickets are no longer strictly determined by votes or fair competition.
Instead, he claimed that financial strength now plays a major role in determining who gets selected.
He stated that some aspirants are required to pay significant amounts before they are even considered for party nomination.
He also suggested that internal democracy within the party has been weakened by a small group of influential individuals.
According to him, this trend is dangerous and undermines the credibility of political parties.
Growing Concerns Over Party Primaries
His comments have sparked renewed debate over how political parties conduct their primaries in Nigeria.
Observers have repeatedly raised concerns that the increasing cost of securing party tickets is shutting out qualified candidates.
Some analysts argue that the process has gradually shifted from democratic selection to financial competition.
They warn that if the trend continues, it could further erode public trust in the political system.
As of the time of filing this report, the NDC has not issued any official response to the allegations.
Rising Political Tension Ahead of 2027
With the 2027 general elections approaching, political parties are already under pressure to demonstrate transparency in their internal processes.
Allegations such as this are expected to increase scrutiny on how candidates are selected across party lines.
Political observers believe that voters are becoming more aware and less tolerant of undemocratic practices within party structures.
They also note that how parties handle such accusations could influence their public perception ahead of the elections.
Conclusion
Kenneth Okonkwo’s allegations have once again brought attention to the issue of money politics in Nigeria’s political system.
His claims continue to generate discussions among political stakeholders and the general public.
While the NDC is yet to respond, the controversy adds to growing concerns about fairness and transparency in party primaries ahead of 2027.
