The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has fixed May 29, 2026, for the conduct of its presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly primaries nationwide.
The party said the decision followed logistical disruptions caused by the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and public holidays, which affected the movement of aspirants and members of its screening committees across the country.
In a statement jointly signed by the National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, and the National Secretary, Barr. Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu, the party said the primaries would still hold in line with the earlier timetable scheduled for May 28 and 29.
According to the statement, May 28 would now be used for arrivals, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, consultative meetings, and other preparatory activities ahead of the primaries.
The party explained that many aspirants who travelled to Abuja for the screening exercise, as well as members of the screening teams, were stranded in the Federal Capital Territory due to transportation challenges and the non-availability of flights during the holiday period.
“The teams will use May 28 to also hold meetings with stakeholders, party elders, as well as aspirants in their respective states,” the statement added.
The NDC also warned that no security or government agency, including the Police, INEC and the Department of State Services (DSS), was expected to participate in any meetings or programmes scheduled for May 28.
It stated that any activity conducted outside the approved guidelines would be regarded as unauthorised and illegal.
The party outlined the order of the May 29 primaries to include presidential affirmation, National Assembly primaries and affirmations, State Assembly primaries and affirmations, as well as governorship primaries and affirmations.
It added that all results from the exercises would be collated and processed by the designated teams before being forwarded to the party’s national headquarters, where the National Working Committee (NWC) would officially announce the outcomes.
The NDC stressed that no state executive or team had the authority to declare results.
The party further urged aspirants and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully, warning that it had zero tolerance for violence, disorderly conduct and hooliganism during the exercise.
