Former presidential candidate Pat Utomi recently shared that he has maintained a political rivalry with Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) leader Buba Galadima for half a century, yet their personal friendship remains strong. This statement followed the NDC’s formation of a 23-member National Reconciliation Committee in Abuja on August 6, 2026, aimed at resolving internal disputes linked to past congresses and primary elections.
Utomi, who serves as the committee chair alongside co-chairman Galadima, expressed his commitment to unifying the party before the 2027 general elections. He noted that their long-standing relationship serves as a model for how members with differing views can reconcile. The party is prioritizing a future-oriented approach, focusing heavily on engaging Nigeria’s youth, a demographic Utomi highlighted by pointing to the country’s median age of 19.5 years.
