NEWS
NDC Confirms Nationwide Primaries for May 29 Amid Eid-el-Kabir Logistics Challenges
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially confirmed that its much-anticipated Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship, and State Assembly primaries will now take place nationwide on Friday, May 29, 2026, following a strategic adjustment in its electoral timetable.
The party disclosed that the decision to shift the actual voting exercise to May 29 became necessary due to logistical setbacks triggered by the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and the accompanying public holidays, which disrupted transportation and movement across several parts of the country.
According to the party, many aspirants, delegates, and members of the screening committees who had travelled to Abuja for the exercise encountered severe difficulties returning to their respective states because of limited flight operations and transportation challenges.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NDC explained that Thursday, May 28, would now be devoted to documentation processes, stakeholder engagements, consultations, and other preparatory activities ahead of the decisive primaries.
“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 statement read.
The party further noted that its various teams across the states would utilise the day to interface with party elders, aspirants, stakeholders, and relevant officials to ensure a smooth and transparent exercise.
However, the NDC issued a strong warning against unauthorised activities outside the approved schedule, stressing that no state agencies, including the Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), or the Department of State Services (DSS), are expected to participate in any political meetings or programmes on May 28 beyond the officially recognised engagements.
The party maintained that any gathering or activity conducted outside the stipulated guidelines would be deemed illegal and unauthorised.
To ensure orderliness and clarity, the NDC also unveiled the sequence for the conduct of the primaries scheduled for May 29.
The exercise will commence with the Presidential affirmation, followed by the National Assembly primaries and affirmations, State Assembly primaries and affirmations, before concluding with the Governorship primaries and affirmations.
The party emphasised that all results generated from the states would be transmitted directly to the National Headquarters for collation, insisting that only the National Working Committee (NWC) possesses the authority to officially announce the outcomes of the exercise.
It warned that no state chapter, executive committee, or ad-hoc team has the mandate to declare results independently.
In the statement, the NDC appealed to aspirants, delegates, supporters, and stakeholders to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the exercise, reiterating the party’s commitment to discipline and internal democracy.
“We call for understanding and urge all participants to conduct themselves responsibly, as the party has zero tolerance for violence, disorderly conduct, and hooliganism,” the statement added.
The clarification was jointly signed by Senator Moses Cleopas, National Chairman of the party, and Barr. Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu, the National Secretary.