NDC to hold primaries May 29 nationwide

***Warns against violence during primaries

*** As party releases full list of members of its electoral committees to conduct its primaries across the 36 states and FCT

By Henry Umoru, ABUJA

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has reaffirmed that its presidential, governorship, national assembly, and state assembly primaries will be held nationwide on Friday, May 29, 2026, despite adjustments that became imperative following the Eid-el-Kabir holidays and logistical challenges across the country.

In a statement signed by the party’s national chairman, Moses Cleopas, and national secretary, Barr. Ikenna Enekweizu, the party explained that the original 28 and 29 May timetable remained in force, but logistical challenges caused by the Eid-el-Kabir public holidays had affected movement across the country.

It said that transportation disruptions and the non-availability of flights left many aspirants and members of the screening committees stranded in Abuja after the screening exercise.

It clarifies that May 28 will now be dedicated to arrivals, consultations, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, as well as meetings with party stakeholders and aspirants in their respective states ahead of the primaries.

According to the statement, only the leadership, not any state institution, including the police, INEC, Department of State Services (DSS), or any other agency, is expected to participate in the activities scheduled for May 28, warning that any unauthorized engagement will be considered illegal.

The statement further stated that the primaries on May 29 would follow a defined order beginning with the presidential affirmation, followed by National Assembly primaries and affirmations, State Assembly primaries and affirmations, and finally governorship primaries and affirmations.

It added that all results from the states will be collated and transmitted to the National Headquarters, where the National Working Committee (NWC) will officially announce the outcomes, stressing that no state executive or electoral team has the authority to declare results independently.

According to the statement, the NDC also calls on aspirants, delegates, and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the exercise, reiterating its zero tolerance for violence, disorderly conduct, and hooliganism during the primaries.

The statement read, “The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has made clarifications regarding its scheduled presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and state assembly primaries. The primaries are still scheduled to hold nationwide on May 29, 2026, in keeping with the original May 28 and 29 timetable.

“However, in view of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and the resulting public holidays, major transportation and logistical challenges have arisen, including the non-availability of flights. Consequently, many aspirants who were in Abuja for the screening exercise, as well as members of the screening team, are currently stranded in Abuja.

“Consequently, the party has decided that May 28 should be used for arrivals, documentation with INEC and security agencies, consultative meetings, and other preparations, while the actual primaries will now hold on May 29.

“The teams will use May 28 to also hold meetings with stakeholders and party elders, as well as aspirants in their respective states.

“No agencies of the state, viz., police, INEC, DSS, etc., are to play any role in the programs and meetings of May 28. Any activities carried out outside these guidelines would be unauthorized and deemed illegal.

“The processes of the primaries on May 29 will be as follows: Presidential affirmation, National Assembly primaries/affirmation, State Assembly primaries/affirmation, and Governorship primaries/affirmation

“The respective teams will collate and process all results and forward them to the National Headquarters, where the National Working Committee will announce the results.

“No state executive or team has the mandate to announce any results.

“We call for understanding and urge all participants to conduct themselves responsibly, as the party has zero tolerance for violence, disorderly conduct, and hooliganism.”

Meanwhile, the party has released the full list of members of its electoral committees for the conduct of the nationwide primaries across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The committees, made up of chairmen, secretaries, and members drawn from different parts of the country, are expected to oversee the State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential primaries in their assigned states.

Among prominent appointments announced by the party are Professor Osita Ogbu for Anambra State, Dr. Osusu Osusu for Rivers State, Chief Barnabas Ejisi for the FCT, Dr. Peter Onigah for Ebonyi State, Alhaji Sidi Abdul Bomi for Lagos State, Dr. Kebiru Umoru for Delta State, and Barr. Fredrick Owotorufa for Edo State.

Others include Comrade Babatunde Ali for Imo State, Dr. Clement Agiangie for Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Okey Ezeala for Nasarawa State, Williams Lappi for Adamawa State, and Mainasara Sani Abubakar for Kano State, alongside several other party officials assigned nationwide responsibilities.

The NDC leadership said that the constitution of the committees reflects its commitment to credible, transparent, and peaceful primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging all party faithful to cooperate fully with the committees to ensure a smooth and successful exercise.

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