The National leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, says only aspirants who win the party’s primaries will go ahead to pay nomination fees and complete documentation exercise.
Dickson made this disclosure in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Wednesday.
He stated that the decision was arrived at a joint meeting attended by Cleopas Moses, NDC national chairman, Peter Obi, the party’s presidential aspirant, and members of the National Working Committee, NWC, as well as the selection committee.
“Following a briefing at the joint meeting of the Selection Committee and the Screening Committee, and in view of the constraints of time, it was decided that all those who purchased Expression of Interest Forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries in their various constituencies.
“Only successful candidates will report to the party secretariat for documentation and, in the process, pay for nomination forms and complete other necessary forms.
“The teams for the primaries have been selected, comprising senior officials of the party, and have been deployed to every state to conduct the exercise with the support of stakeholders and local leaders. We wish them success in this important assignment,” the statement said.
The former Bayelsa state governor, while noting that the party is women- and youth-friendly, urged the teams for the primaries to pay attention to aspirants with the capacity to win elections.
According to him, the primaries would be held on May 28 and 29, noting that aspirants should use their expression of interest forms to enable them to participate in the exercise.
The serving Bayelsa Senator equally announced the inauguration of an appeal panel to address complaints arising from the primaries.
He said direct primaries for state assembly positions would take place at constituency level, while House of Representatives, senate, governorship, and presidential affirmations would be held at local government headquarters.
