Consensus Candidacy Should Reflect Performance, Mass Support, Says Ikokwu

An aspirant for the House of Representatives’ seat for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, has called on political parties to reconsider the blanket adoption of the consensus method in selecting candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement he issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja, Ikokwu said while consensus remains a legitimate democratic option, it should never become a blanket arrangement that automatically protects ineffective and underperforming incumbents while shutting out fresh voices with ideas, capacity, and grassroots acceptance.

“Consensus, particularly in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), should be based on performance, credibility and the wishes of party members at the grassroots, not treated as a political entitlement. No elected office should become a personal inheritance,” she said.

She added, “Where representatives have performed excellently and enjoy genuine support from the people, consensus may naturally emerge. But imposing it across the board without evaluating performance and grassroots acceptance sends the wrong message and discourages participation and healthy competition within the party.”

Ikokwu, who comes from one of the most politically competitive constituencies in Anambra State, argued that poor-performing incumbents imposed on party members risk costing their parties victory in the general election.

She called on party leaders to uphold fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all aspirants, especially young people, women, and first-time contestants seeking to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.

“I have been on the ground in my constituency and people from the grassroots in Idemili North and South feel they are currently poorly represented. Political parties grow stronger when members feel heard and included. But when aspirations are silenced through imposition, the party risks implosion,” she said.

Ikokwu said consensus candidacy was increasingly becoming a source of crisis for political parties, despite constitutional provisions that guide the process.

“Consensus candidacy is proving to be a hotbed of crisis for political parties. While the Electoral Act approves of consensus, there are rules guiding the method,” she stated.

She cited Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides that “a political party that adopts a consensus candidate shall secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position, indicating their voluntary withdrawal from the race and their endorsement of the consensus candidate.”

The section further states that “where a political party is unable to secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the purpose of a consensus candidate, it shall revert to the choice of direct primaries for the nomination of candidates for elective positions.”