The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that only aspirants who emerge victorious in its primaries will be allowed to proceed with payment of nomination fees and completion of final documentation processes.
The decision was disclosed by Seriake Dickson, the party’s national leader, following a joint meeting involving the national chairman, Cleopas Moses, presidential aspirant Peter Obi, members of the National Working Committee, and the selection committee.
According to the party, all individuals who had already purchased Expression of Interest forms will be permitted to participate in the primaries within their respective constituencies.
However, only those who secure victory in the primaries will be invited to the party secretariat to complete documentation requirements and make payments for nomination forms and other related procedures.
Dickson explained that dedicated teams have been constituted and deployed across all states to oversee the primaries, working alongside party stakeholders and local leadership structures to ensure smooth conduct of the exercise.
He also emphasised that the party remains committed to inclusivity, especially for women and young aspirants, while urging screening and selection teams to prioritise candidates with strong electoral potential.
The party leadership encouraged fairness and transparency throughout the process, stressing the importance of protecting the interests of all participants while maintaining unity within the platform.
The primaries are scheduled to hold on May 28 and 29, with aspirants instructed to use their Expression of Interest forms to gain access to the exercise.
An appeal panel has also been set up to handle complaints that may arise from the conduct of the primaries.
According to the arrangement, state assembly primaries will be conducted at constituency levels, while other positions including House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential selections will be held at local government headquarters.
Dickson further urged aspirants and their supporters to maintain peace during the exercise, warning that the party will not tolerate violence, intimidation, or any form of disorderly conduct.
He added that while the party had planned to adopt an electronic voting system for its primaries, time constraints made it impossible to implement at this stage, though it remains a future goal for internal elections.
