1999: All The Northern Political Leaders In PDP Supported Alex Ekwueme’s Candidacy -Galadima Reveals

A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has revealed that many prominent political leaders from Northern Nigeria within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supported the presidential aspiration of the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme during the party’s 1999 presidential nomination process.

Speaking in an interview aired on the official Arise News YouTube channel on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Galadima reflected on events leading to Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, arguing that the period demonstrated a greater level of political cooperation across regional lines than is often acknowledged today.

According to him, the support Ekwueme received from northern political leaders contradicts the widespread perception that Nigeria’s politics has always been dominated by ethnic and regional considerations. He maintained that many influential politicians from the North rallied behind Ekwueme’s presidential bid despite his southeastern background.

Recalling the events surrounding the PDP’s presidential nomination, Galadima said, “I want to say, without fear of contradiction, that all the political leaders of Northern Nigeria in the PDP supported the candidacy of Dr. Alex Ekwueme.”

He argued that the backing Ekwueme enjoyed at the time reflected a commitment by many northern politicians to national unity rather than ethnic or sectional interests. According to Galadima, the political atmosphere during the period showed that leaders were capable of working together across regional boundaries in pursuit of what they believed was in the country’s best interest.

The former National Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) made the remarks while discussing Nigeria’s political evolution and the importance of learning from the country’s democratic history. He suggested that contemporary political actors should draw lessons from past examples of cross-regional cooperation instead of allowing ethnic divisions to dominate political discourse.

The 1999 presidential primaries of the PDP were a defining moment in Nigeria’s transition from military rule to democratic governance. Although Dr. Alex Ekwueme sought the party’s presidential ticket, former military Head of State Olusegun Obasanjo eventually emerged as the PDP’s candidate and went on to win the presidential election that ushered in the Fourth Republic.

According to Galadima, historical examples such as the 1999 PDP nomination process demonstrate that political alliances in Nigeria have not always been determined by ethnicity. He argued that acknowledging those moments of cooperation could help promote greater national cohesion and reduce tensions associated with identity politics.

He further suggested that Nigerians should focus more on the competence and vision of political leaders than on their ethnic or regional backgrounds. In his view, the country’s democratic development depends on strengthening national unity and encouraging inclusive politics……See More