NDC Confirms May 29 Primaries, Cites Eid Logistics Disruptions

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has reaffirmed that its nationwide primaries for presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly positions will proceed on Friday, May 29, despite logistical disruptions caused by the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.

In a statement jointly signed by the party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, and National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, the party explained that the original May 28 and 29 schedule remained valid, but adjustments became necessary due to transportation difficulties and flight disruptions across the country.

According to the party, many aspirants and members of its screening committees who travelled to Abuja for the screening exercise were unable to return to their respective states because of the public holidays and limited flight operations.

“The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has made clarifications regarding its scheduled presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and state assembly primaries. The primaries are still scheduled to hold nationwide on May 29, 2026, in keeping with the original May 28 and 29 timetable,” the statement read.

“However, in view of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and the resulting public holidays, major transportation and logistical challenges have arisen, including the non-availability of flights. Consequently, many aspirants who were in Abuja for the screening exercise, as well as members of the screening team, are currently stranded in Abuja.”

The party explained that May 28 would now be reserved for consultations, stakeholder meetings, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, as well as preparations ahead of the primaries.

“Consequently, 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 added.

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

The NDC also warned that no external agency or institution was authorised to interfere in internal party activities scheduled for May 28.

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

The party outlined the sequence for the May 29 exercise, beginning with presidential affirmation, followed by National Assembly, State Assembly and governorship primaries.

“The processes of the primaries on May 29 will be as follows: Presidential affirmation, National Assembly primaries/affirmation, State Assembly primaries/affirmation, and Governorship primaries/affirmation,” it stated.

The leadership further clarified that only the National Working Committee (NWC) had the authority to officially declare results from the exercise after collation from across the states.

“The respective teams will collate and process all results and forward them to the National Headquarters, where the National Working Committee will announce the results.

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

The party also appealed to aspirants, delegates and supporters to maintain peace and avoid acts capable of disrupting the exercise.

“We call for understanding and urge all participants to conduct themselves responsibly, as the party has zero tolerance for violence, disorderly conduct, and hooliganism.”

Meanwhile, the NDC has released the names of members of its electoral committees for the conduct of the primaries across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Among those appointed are Osita Ogbu for Anambra State, Osusu Osusu for Rivers State, Barnabas Ejisi for the FCT, Peter Onigah for Ebonyi State, Sidi Abdul Bomi for Lagos State, Kebiru Umoru for Delta State, and Fredrick Owotorufa for Edo State.

Others named by the party include Babatunde Ali for Imo State, Clement Agiangie for Akwa Ibom State, Okey Ezeala for Nasarawa State, Williams Lappi for Adamawa State and Mainasara Sani Abubakar for Kano State.

According to the party leadership, the composition of the committees demonstrates the NDC’s commitment to credible, transparent and peaceful primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.