The Nigeria Democratic Congress has insisted that its nationwide primaries for presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly positions will proceed as scheduled on May 29 despite disruptions caused by the Eid-el-Kabir public holidays.
The party said the festive season triggered major transportation and logistical challenges across the country, leaving several aspirants and members of its screening committee stranded in Abuja following the conclusion of screening exercises.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the National Chairman of the party, Moses Cleopas, explained that May 28 would now be dedicated to consultations, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission, engagements with security agencies, and other preparatory activities ahead of the decisive primaries.
According to him, party officials deployed to various states have also been directed to use the day for consultations with stakeholders, elders, and aspirants to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Cleopas, however, issued a stern warning that no state institution or security agency, including the Police, DSS, or INEC, should participate in any unauthorised activities outside the approved timetable.
He stressed that any action outside the party’s official guidelines would be considered illegal and invalid.
“The primaries are still scheduled to hold nationwide on May 29, 2026, in line with the original May 28 and 29 timetable,” the statement read.
“However, due to the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and the accompanying public holidays, significant transportation and logistical difficulties have emerged, including the unavailability of flights.
“As a result, many aspirants who participated in the screening exercise in Abuja, as well as members of the screening committee, are currently stranded in the Federal Capital Territory.”
The NDC chairman outlined the sequence of events for the primaries, beginning with the presidential affirmation, followed by National Assembly primaries or affirmations, State Assembly primaries or affirmations, and finally governorship primaries.
The party also moved to tighten control over the process by directing that all results from across the states must be collated and transmitted to the party’s national headquarters for official declaration by the National Working Committee.
“The respective teams will collate and process all results and forward them to the National Headquarters, where the National Working Committee will announce the final outcomes.
“No state executive or team has the mandate to announce results independently,” the statement added.
Cleopas further appealed to party members and aspirants to remain peaceful, orderly, and law-abiding throughout the exercise, warning that the NDC would not tolerate violence, hooliganism, or any form of disorder during the primaries.
The development comes amid heightened political activities and growing realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties racing to conclude their internal processes despite mounting economic and logistical challenges across the country.
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2026-05-25