The Nigeria Democratic Congress has clarified that its nationwide primary elections will officially hold on May 29, 2026, while warning that agencies of government, including Independent National Electoral Commission, the Police and the Department of State Services, have no role to play in its preparatory activities scheduled for May 28.
The clarification was contained in a statement jointly signed by the party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, and National Secretary, Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu.
According to the party, its Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State House of Assembly primaries remain in line with the timetable earlier released for May 28 and 29.
However, the NDC explained that the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and the public holidays created serious logistical challenges, including transportation difficulties and limited flight operations across the country.
The party said several aspirants who travelled to Abuja for screening exercises, alongside members of the screening committees, became stranded in the Federal Capital Territory due to the disruptions.
As a result, the NDC stated that May 28 would now be used strictly for arrivals, consultations, documentation with relevant authorities, and other internal preparations ahead of the primaries.
According to the statement, the actual voting and affirmation exercises would take place nationwide on May 29.
The party also disclosed that teams deployed to various states would use May 28 to engage stakeholders, party elders and aspirants before the commencement of the primaries.
The NDC, however, stressed that no government agency has any authority to interfere in or participate in its internal meetings and programmes fixed for May 28.
“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 read.
The party outlined the order of activities for the May 29 exercise to include presidential affirmation, National Assembly primaries or affirmation, State House of Assembly primaries or affirmation, and governorship primaries or affirmation.
It further explained that all results from the states would be collated and processed before being forwarded to the National Headquarters for official announcement by the National Working Committee.
The NDC warned that no state executive or committee had the authority to independently announce results from the exercise.
The party said any declaration made outside the National Headquarters would not be recognised.
It also appealed to aspirants, delegates and party supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the exercise.
According to the party, violence, disorderly conduct and hooliganism would not be tolerated during the primaries.
What You Should Know
The Nigeria Democratic Congress has recently intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections as opposition political activities continue to grow across the country.
The party’s clarification comes amid heightened political tension and increasing scrutiny surrounding internal party primaries nationwide.
The NDC’s warning to security agencies and electoral bodies over its May 28 preparatory meetings highlights growing concerns among opposition parties about alleged interference in political processes.
The development also reflects the logistical difficulties political parties are facing during the Eid-el-Kabir holiday period, especially regarding travel disruptions and coordination of nationwide activities ahead of major party primaries.
