The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has confirmed that its Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly primaries will proceed nationwide on May 29, despite schedule adjustments linked to the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
The party explained that the minor adjustment to its timetable was necessitated by transportation and logistical challenges arising from the festive period, including flight shortages that left several aspirants and members of the screening committee stranded in Abuja after the screening exercise.
In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, the NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, said May 28 would now be used for arrivals, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, as well as consultative meetings and other preparatory engagements ahead of the primaries.
He added that party teams deployed across the states would also engage stakeholders, elders, and aspirants on the same day.
Cleopas, however, stressed that no state institution or security agency, including the Police, DSS and INEC, would take part in any activities scheduled for May 28.
He warned that any action outside the approved arrangements would be regarded as illegal and unauthorised.
“The primaries are still scheduled to be held nationwide on May 29, 2026, in keeping with the original May 28 and 29 timetable.
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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.”
Cleopas explained the sequence for the May 29 exercise, which will include presidential affirmation, National Assembly primaries or affirmations, State Assembly primaries or affirmations, and governorship primaries or affirmations.
He further directed that all results from the states must be collated and sent to the party’s national headquarters, where they would be officially announced by the National Working Committee (NWC).
“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,” the statement added.
Cleopas also called for calm and discipline among members and aspirants, warning that the party would not tolerate violence, disorderly conduct or hooliganism during the primaries.