The primaries for election of candidates to contest elections on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) will take place Thursday, May 28, 2026 and Friday, May 29, 2026 across the country.
This was stated by the leader of the party, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, after a meeting of the leadership of the party, including the National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, the presidential aspirant, Mr. Peter Obi and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and the Selection Committee.
The report of the Screening Committee of the NDC, led by former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Sam Egwu, was received by the leadership of the party at the meeting, and key decisions were also taken, especially concerning the primaries.
Senator Dickson, in a social media post after the meeting, said that among the decisions taken was “that all those who purchased Expression of Interest Forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries in their various constituencies.”
Thereafter, “only successful candidates will report to the party secretariat for documentation and, in the process, pay for nomination forms and complete other necessary forms.”
Senator Dickson who assured that the NDC is “a platform for everyone” stated that the teams to conduct the primaries, comprising senior officials of the party, have been selected and deployed to every state and would, with the support of stakeholders and local leaders ensure successful exercises.
He called for violence-free primaries, reiterating the party’s zero tolerance for violent behaviour. “The party will take serious action against anyone who resorts to violence, threats, intimidation, or disorderly conduct,” he warned, assuring that an “Appeal Panel will also be inaugurated to look into complaints that may arise during the process.”
He pointed out that in line with the party guidelines, “the primaries will be conducted through direct primaries at the constituency level for State Assembly positions, while House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential affirmations will take place at the various Local Government Headquarters.
“Final results will be announced at the party’s National Secretariat by the Selection Committee and the NEC. We strongly recommend consensus where necessary,” he said, pointing out that time constraints made it impossible for the party to fully implement the electronic system they had wanted to use for all their primaries and congresses.
He assured that this will be the last primary in the NDC that will be conducted manually. He admitted that the manual process may not be perfect, asked for understanding, and reassured that “future primaries will be conducted electronically to minimise complaints and other challenges.”
He urged the teams that will be conducting the primaries to “be fair to all aspirants, collaborate with stakeholders and interest groups, and work closely with INEC and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent process.”
He also asked for support as they “strive to build an enduring modern political institution, not a special-purpose vehicle for any individual political interest, but a party that will outlast all of us.”
