The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says its presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly primaries will go ahead nationwide on Thursday as scheduled, despite earlier logistical concerns linked to the Eid-el-Kabir holiday period.
In a statement signed by National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas and National Secretary Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu, the party said only successful aspirants from the primaries for the 2027 general elections will be required to pay nomination fees.
The party said the holiday period had caused transportation and logistical challenges, including limited flight availability, affecting the movement of aspirants and members of screening committees.
It said some aspirants who travelled to Abuja for screening, along with committee members, were unable to leave the capital due to the disruptions.
According to the statement, Wednesday was designated for arrivals, documentation with electoral and security agencies, consultations and other preparatory activities ahead of Thursday’s primaries.
The party added that its teams would also meet stakeholders, elders and aspirants across states during the period.
It stressed that no government agency, including the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission or the Department of State Services, was expected to participate in activities scheduled for Wednesday, warning that any unauthorised actions would not be recognised.
The party outlined the sequence for Thursday’s primaries as presidential affirmation, followed by National Assembly, state assembly and governorship contests.
It said all results would be collated and transmitted to the party’s national headquarters, where the National Working Committee would announce the official outcomes.
The NDC also warned that no state executive or committee had authority to declare results independently.
Separately, party national leader Henry Seriake Dickson said only successful aspirants would proceed to pay nomination fees and complete documentation.
Dickson, a former Bayelsa State governor, said the decision followed a joint meeting of the National Working Committee, Selection Committee and Screening Committee, alongside senior party officials.
He said the measure was taken because of time constraints and the large number of aspirants seeking tickets.
“All those who purchased Expression of Interest forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries in their various constituencies,” he said in a statement posted on X.
“Only successful candidates will report to the party secretariat for documentation and, in the process, pay for nomination forms,” he added.
Dickson reiterated the party’s zero tolerance for violence during the process, warning that intimidation or disruption would attract disciplinary action.
He said state assembly primaries would be conducted through direct voting at constituency level, while other primaries and affirmations would be held at designated local government headquarters.
