The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has formally adopted the report of its Screening Committee and opened the door for all aspirants who purchased Expression of Interest Forms to participate in the party’s primaries across the country.
The decision followed extensive consultations involving the party leadership, the National Working Committee (NWC), the Selection Committee and other key stakeholders, reports Daily Independent.
The screening report, chaired by His Excellency Dr. Sam Egwu, was received and approved at a meeting attended by the National Chairman, the presidential aspirant, His Excellency Peter Obi, and senior party officials.
At the session, the party also reviewed the procedures for the forthcoming primaries and other arrangements needed to guide the conduct of the exercise.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, the party praised the Screening Committee for what it described as a diligent, professional and sacrificial effort during the rigorous exercise, which lasted almost a week and involved a large number of aspirants from different parts of the country.
The party also expressed appreciation to aspirants and their supporters for showing confidence in the NDC and for contributing to its spread and strength nationwide.
After weighing the available time and the need to keep the process inclusive, the party resolved that all aspirants who had bought Expression of Interest Forms would be allowed to take part in the primaries in their respective constituencies.
Those who emerge successful from the primaries will subsequently proceed to the party’s National Secretariat for documentation, payment of nomination fees and completion of all other required nomination procedures.
To ensure order and proper supervision, the party has set up and deployed primary election teams made up of senior officials and seasoned administrators to all states of the federation. These teams are expected to work with local stakeholders and party leaders to oversee the exercise.
According to the party’s guidelines, the primaries for State Assembly tickets will be conducted through direct primaries at the constituency level.
On the other hand, affirmations and primaries for the House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential positions will take place at the various Local Government Headquarters.
The final results of the exercises are to be announced at the party’s National Secretariat by the Selection Committee and the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The NDC further urged the adoption of consensus where possible, saying such an approach would serve the broader interests of unity, stability and democratic deepening within the party.
Reaffirming its commitment to inclusiveness, the party called for stronger participation by women and young people at all levels of the process. It also advised delegates and party officials to give serious consideration to aspirants with proven electoral value and strong grassroots support.
The party stressed that it would not tolerate any form of violence, intimidation, threat or disorderly conduct during the primaries.
It warned that firm disciplinary action would be taken against any individual or group found engaging in acts capable of undermining the credibility or peaceful conduct of the exercise.
To handle disputes that may arise, the party said an Appeal Panel would be inaugurated to consider complaints and grievances from the primaries.
The statement noted that the exercise is being conducted under tight time constraints, which made it impossible to fully deploy the electronic voting and collation system originally designed for party primaries and congresses. Even so, the leadership assured members that this would be the last manual primary election conducted by the NDC.
It added that all future primaries would be fully digitised, in line with the party’s drive for transparency, accountability, efficiency and modern democratic practice.
The NDC therefore called on all aspirants, stakeholders, supporters, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cooperate fully to ensure peaceful, credible, transparent and successful primaries nationwide.
The party said it remained committed to nation-building and institutional democracy, adding that it was determined to build a lasting modern political institution that would outlive individual ambitions and advance the long-term interests of the Nigerian people.
