The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has clarified that its Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly primaries will still hold nationwide today, in line with the party’s original timetable.
The party also announced that only aspirants who emerge successful in the ongoing primaries for the 2027 general elections will pay nomination fees, reports The Guardian.
In a statement jointly signed by the party’s national chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, and National Secretary, Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu, the party explained that the Eid-el-Kabir holidays had created transportation and logistical difficulties, including limited flight availability.
According to the statement, several aspirants who travelled to Abuja for screening exercises, alongside members of the screening committee, were unable to leave the Federal Capital Territory due to the disruptions.
The party said May 28 would now be dedicated to arrivals, documentation with electoral and security authorities, consultative engagements and other preparatory activities ahead of the primaries scheduled for May 29.
It added that party teams would also use the day to meet with stakeholders, elders and aspirants across the states.
The party stressed that no government agency, including the Police, INEC or DSS, is expected to participate in any meetings or activities scheduled for May 28, warning that any actions outside the approved guidelines would be considered unauthorised.
The party outlined the sequence for the May 29 primaries as follows: Presidential affirmation; National Assembly primaries/affirmation; State Assembly primaries/affirmation; Governorship primaries/affirmation.
According to the statement, all results from the exercise would be collated and transmitted to the party’s National Headquarters, where the National Working Committee would officially announce the outcomes.
The party further warned that no state executive or committee has the authority to declare results independently.
The national leader of the party, Henry Seriake Dickson, also disclosed that only successful aspirants would proceed to pay nomination fees and complete documentation.
Dickson disclosed this in a statement posted on his official X account on Wednesday following a joint meeting involving the party’s National Working Committee, Selection Committee and Screening Committee.
According to him, the decision was reached after extensive deliberations attended by the party’s National Chairman, Moses Zuwoghe, presidential aspirant Peter Obi and other senior party officials.
Dickson said the party adopted the measure due to time constraints and the unexpectedly high number of aspirants seeking to contest on the platform of the NDC.
“Following a briefing at the joint meeting of the Selection Committee and the Screening Committee, and in view of the constraints of time, it was decided that all those who purchased Expression of Interest Forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries in their various constituencies.
“Only successful candidates will report to the party secretariat for documentation and, in the process, pay for nomination forms and complete other necessary forms,” he said.
The former Bayelsa State governor reiterated the party’s zero tolerance for violence during the exercise, warning that anyone involved in intimidation, threats or disorderly conduct would face disciplinary action.
He explained that State House of Assembly primaries would be conducted through direct primaries at the constituency level, while primaries and affirmations for the House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential positions would take place at designated local government headquarters.
