NDC Oyo State Must Not Abandon the Grassroots: Why Boycotting the Local Government Election Is a Strategic Mistake
By David Ogunlade
The decision of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Oyo State Chapter, to distance itself from the forthcoming Local Government Elections scheduled for 29 December 2026 is deeply concerning.
According to the statement signed by the State Secretary, Comrade Okunade Aderoju Solomon, the party justified its decision by citing alleged irregularities that characterized previous elections conducted by the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC). While concerns about electoral credibility are legitimate and should never be ignored, completely withdrawing from the electoral process raises serious strategic and political questions.
Politics is not won only during presidential or governorship elections. Strong political parties are built from the grassroots upward.
Local government elections are not merely contests for chairmanship and councillorship seats. They are opportunities to test a party’s popularity, strengthen its structures, recruit members, train campaign teams, and establish lasting relationships with communities.
For a relatively young political movement like the NDC, this election should have been viewed as an investment in the future rather than a contest to avoid.
Participating in the election would have:
- Demonstrated that NDC is a serious democratic alternative.
- Built active ward and polling unit structures across Oyo State.
- Recruited new members and volunteers.
- Trained party agents and campaign coordinators ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- Introduced the party’s manifesto and values to more communities.
- Identified credible young leaders who can become the future face of the party.
- Generated electoral data that would be invaluable in preparing for the 2027 elections.
Even where victory is uncertain, participation itself strengthens a political party. Elections are opportunities to organize, learn, improve, and grow.
This is why the decision to boycott the election appears, at least from a strategic standpoint, to be counterproductive.
Equally troubling are reports circulating within the party that some individuals identified with the Obidient movement have allegedly been removed from the official NDC Oyo State WhatsApp platform, including persons reportedly interested in contesting under the party’s platform. If these reports are accurate, they deserve urgent attention from the party’s national leadership.
A political party preparing to challenge established parties in 2027 should be expanding its membership, encouraging participation, and accommodating differing opinions—not creating the impression of exclusion or internal division.
Internal democracy is one of the strongest indicators of a party’s readiness to govern. Members should feel welcomed, heard, and given equal opportunities to contribute to the growth of the party.
Taken together, the reported exclusion of members and the decision to withdraw from the local government election risk sending the wrong message to supporters and the wider public. They may create the perception that the party is retreating from the very grassroots engagement needed to become a formidable political force.
If NDC truly seeks to reshape Nigerian politics, then every election, whether local, state, or national, should be regarded as an opportunity to organize, inspire, and expand its reach.
The December 2026 local government election should have been a testing ground for the party’s strength across Oyo State, not a missed opportunity.
