NDC Fixes Presidential, State Primaries for May 29

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has fixed May 29, 2026, for the conduct of its nationwide presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly primaries, following adjustments to its earlier timetable caused by Eid-el-Kabir holiday logistics.

The party disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday and jointly signed by its National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, and National Secretary, Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu.

According to the statement, the primaries will proceed nationwide on May 29 in line with the party’s original schedule, although activities slated for May 28 have been converted to preparatory engagements due to transportation difficulties affecting party officials and aspirants across the country.

The NDC explained that the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and the accompanying public holidays created “major transportation and logistical challenges,” including the scarcity of flights, leaving many aspirants and members of the screening committees stranded in Abuja after participating in the party’s screening exercise.

As part of efforts to ensure a smooth process, the party said May 28 would now be used for arrivals, consultations, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, as well as meetings with stakeholders and party elders in various states.

“The teams will use May 28 to also hold meetings with stakeholders, party elders, as well as aspirants in their respective states,” the statement read.

The party, however, stressed that no official primary election activities would be conducted on May 28, warning that any programme or gathering outside the approved framework would be regarded as unauthorized.

It also directed that state agencies, including the Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Department of State Services, should not participate in activities scheduled for that day.

“No agencies of the state, viz: Police, INEC, DSS, etc., are to play any role in the programmes and meetings of May 28. Any activities carried out outside these guidelines would be unauthorized and deemed illegal,” the statement added.

The NDC further outlined the order of proceedings for the May 29 exercise, stating that the process would begin with presidential affirmation, followed by National Assembly primaries and affirmations, state assembly primaries and governorship primaries.

It said all results from across the federation would be collated and forwarded to the party’s national headquarters, where the National Working Committee would make the official announcement of winners.

The leadership also warned state executives and members of electoral committees against announcing results independently.

“No state executive or team has the mandate to announce any results,” the party stated.

The NDC appealed to aspirants, delegates and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the exercise, reiterating its commitment to a violence-free primary election.

“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 said.

The clarification comes amid heightened political activities across parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several political groups finalising their internal nomination processes nationwide.