The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has confirmed that its presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly primaries will hold nationwide on May 29 despite disruptions caused by the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
The party said logistical challenges linked to the public holidays, including limited flight availability, had left many aspirants and members of its screening committees stranded in Abuja after participating in screening exercises ahead of the primaries.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, and National Secretary, Barrister Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu, the NDC said activities earlier slated for May 28 would now focus on consultations, documentation and preparatory engagements, while the actual primaries would take place on May 29.
“The primaries are still scheduled to hold nationwide on May 29, 2026, in keeping with the original May 28 and 29 timetable,” the statement said.
According to the party, May 28 would be used for the arrival of delegates and officials, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, consultative meetings, and other administrative preparations in the states.
The NDC added that party teams would also use the day to meet with stakeholders, elders and aspirants across the country ahead of the primaries.
The party, however, warned that no state institutions or security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and INEC, were expected to participate in any activities connected to the May 28 meetings and consultations.
It said any programme or activity outside the approved guidelines would be regarded as “unauthorised and illegal”.
The party also outlined the sequence for the May 29 exercise, beginning with the presidential affirmation, followed by National Assembly primaries or affirmations, state assembly primaries or affirmations, and governorship primaries or affirmations.
It said all results from the states would be collated and transmitted to the party’s national headquarters, where the National Working Committee (NWC) would officially announce the outcomes.
“No state executive or team has the mandate to announce any results,” the statement added.
The NDC appealed to aspirants, delegates and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during the exercise, stressing that the party would not tolerate violence, disorderly conduct or hooliganism.
By Prosper Okoye
