NDC Holds Nationwide Primaries Today, Ratifies Peter Obi as Presidential Candidate

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is holding its presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly primaries nationwide today, with former Anambra State governor Peter Obi set to be ratified as the party’s presidential candidate.

Obi emerged as the sole aspirant for the presidential ticket, and the party confirmed that his affirmation would take place as part of Friday’s exercise across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement jointly signed by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, and National Secretary, Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu, the NDC clarified that despite logistical disruptions caused by the Eid-el-Kabir holidays, the primaries would proceed as planned nationwide.

The party explained that the Eid-el-Kabir holidays had created transportation and logistical difficulties, including limited flight availability, which left several aspirants who travelled to Abuja for screening exercises stranded in the Federal Capital Territory.

May 28 was therefore dedicated to arrivals, documentation with electoral and security authorities, consultative engagements and other preparatory activities ahead of the primaries.

The party stressed that no government agency, including the Police or Department of State Services, was expected to participate in any meetings or activities, warning that any actions outside the approved guidelines would be considered unauthorised.

The sequence for the May 29 primaries is as follows: presidential affirmation; National Assembly primaries or affirmation; state assembly primaries or affirmation; and governorship primaries or affirmation.

According to the party, all results from the exercise will be collated and transmitted to the party’s National Headquarters, where the National Working Committee will officially announce the outcomes. No state executive or committee has the authority to declare results independently.

The NDC also disowned purported endorsement lists circulating in some states, describing them as unauthorised.

The party’s national leader, former Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, disclosed that only successful aspirants would proceed to pay nomination fees and complete documentation, a decision reached after extensive deliberations attended by party leadership including Obi.

Dickson reiterated the party’s zero tolerance for violence during the exercise, warning that anyone involved in intimidation, threats or disorderly conduct would face disciplinary action.

State House of Assembly primaries will be conducted through direct primaries at the constituency level, while primaries and affirmations for the House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential positions will take place at designated local government headquarters.

Sources: The Guardian, Punch, The Nation