The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has confirmed that its presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly primaries will hold nationwide on Friday, May 29, 2026, despite logistical disruptions caused by the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
The party disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, and National Secretary, Barr. Ikenna Enekweizu, following concerns over movement challenges affecting aspirants and party officials across the country.
NDC Explains Eid Holiday Adjustments
According to the statement, the party’s original timetable for May 28 and 29 remains valid, but transportation difficulties and limited flight availability disrupted the movement of aspirants and screening committee members after the screening exercise in Abuja.
The party said May 28 would now be used for arrivals, consultations, INEC documentation, meetings with security agencies and stakeholder engagements across various states 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 read.
Party Warns Against Unauthorized Activities
The NDC stressed that no agency of government, including the police, INEC, Department of State Services (DSS) or any other institution, is expected to participate in activities scheduled for May 28 outside official consultations.
The party warned that any engagement outside the approved guidelines would be regarded as illegal and unauthorized.
“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 added.
Order Of Primaries Announced
The party also released the sequence for the nationwide exercise scheduled for May 29.
According to the NDC, the process will begin with the presidential affirmation, followed by National Assembly primaries and affirmations, State Assembly primaries and affirmations, before concluding with governorship primaries and affirmations.
It added that all results from across the states would be forwarded to the National Headquarters, where the National Working Committee (NWC) would officially announce the final outcomes.
The party insisted that no state executive or electoral committee has the authority to independently declare results.
“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 noted.
Electoral Committees Released
The NDC also unveiled members of its electoral committees assigned to oversee the nationwide primaries across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Among those appointed are Professor Osita Ogbu for Anambra State, Dr. Osusu Osusu for Rivers State, Chief Barnabas Ejisi for the FCT, Dr. Peter Onigah for Ebonyi State, and Alhaji Sidi Abdul Bomi for Lagos State.
Others include Dr. Kebiru Umoru for Delta State, Barr. Fredrick Owotorufa for Edo State, Comrade Babatunde Ali for Imo State, Dr. Clement Agiangie for Akwa Ibom State, and Mainasara Sani Abubakar for Kano State.
The party said the constitution of the committees reflects its commitment to credible and transparent primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest development comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections amid growing political realignments and internal consultations across the country.