The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has reiterated that its presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly primaries will proceed nationwide on Friday, May 29, 2026, despite minor adjustments prompted by Eid-el-Kabir public holidays and associated logistical disruptions across the country.
In a joint statement signed by the party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, and National Secretary, Barr. Ikenna Enekweizu, the party maintained that its initial timetable of May 28 and 29 remains valid, but acknowledged that travel disruptions, including flight unavailability, left several aspirants and screening committee members stranded in Abuja after the screening exercise.
According to the party, May 28 will now be used for arrivals, consultations, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, as well as internal meetings between stakeholders and aspirants in their respective states ahead of the primaries.
The NDC stressed that only the party leadership is authorised to participate in the May 28 activities, warning that the involvement of any government agency—including the police, INEC, DSS, or others—would be unlawful and not recognised by the party.
It further explained that the primaries scheduled for May 29 will follow a structured sequence beginning with presidential affirmation, followed by National Assembly primaries, state assembly contests, and concluding with governorship primaries.
The party added that all results will be collated from the states and forwarded to the National Headquarters, where the National Working Committee (NWC) will officially announce the outcomes, noting that no state organ or committee has the authority to declare results independently.
Reaffirming its stance on discipline, the NDC urged aspirants, delegates, and supporters to maintain order throughout the process, warning that it maintains zero tolerance for violence, disruption, or any form of electoral misconduct.
In addition, the party announced the release of names of members constituting its electoral committees across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The committees will oversee the conduct of primaries for all elective positions, including presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship, and state assembly races.
Prominent members of the committees include Professor Osita Ogbu (Anambra), Dr. Osusu Osusu (Rivers), Chief Barnabas Ejisi (FCT), Dr. Peter Onigah (Ebonyi), Alhaji Sidi Abdul Bomi (Lagos), Dr. Kebiru Umoru (Delta), Barr. Fredrick Owotorufa (Edo), Comrade Babatunde Ali (Imo), Dr. Clement Agiangie (Akwa Ibom), Dr. Okey Ezeala (Nasarawa), Williams Lappi (Adamawa), and Mainasara Sani Abubakar (Kano), among others.
The party leadership said the composition of the committees demonstrates its commitment to credible, transparent, and peaceful primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging full cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure a smooth exercise.