The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is set to ratify former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, as its presidential candidate today (Friday) during the party’s nationwide primaries, following his emergence as the sole aspirant for the ticket.
The party also disclosed that governorship, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly candidates would emerge across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory despite logistical challenges caused by the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, explaining that transportation difficulties and flight disruptions delayed some preparatory activities after the screening exercise in the FCT.
According to the statement, Thursday, May 28, was designated for arrivals, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, consultative meetings and other preparations ahead of the primaries.
Cleopas said party officials deployed to various states were also expected to engage stakeholders, elders and aspirants before the commencement of the exercise.
He, however, warned that no state institution or security agency, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and INEC, was authorised to participate in any activity outside the approved guidelines for the primaries.
“The primaries are still scheduled to hold nationwide on May 29, 2026, in line with the original timetable,” he said.
“Consequently, many aspirants who were in Abuja for the screening exercise, as well as members of the screening committee, are currently stranded in Abuja due to transportation challenges.”
Cleopas outlined the sequence for the May 29 exercise to include presidential affirmation, National Assembly primaries or affirmations, State Assembly primaries or affirmations, and governorship primaries or affirmations.
The party further directed that all results from the states must be collated and transmitted to the national headquarters for official announcement by the National Working Committee.
“The respective teams will collate and process all results before forwarding them to the national headquarters, where the National Working Committee will officially announce the outcomes.
“No state executive or team has the mandate to independently announce results,” the statement added.
The NDC chairman also appealed to members and aspirants to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the exercise, stressing that the party would not tolerate violence, disorderly conduct or hooliganism during the primaries.
He also served as Deputy Editor at Sahara Reporters Sports and worked as Content Manager for the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), contributing significantly to sports journalism and digital content development in Nigeria.
Known for his strong storytelling ability and editorial expertise, Olayinka Olawole has covered a wide range of subjects, while also building a reputation in digital storytelling, audience engagement, and content optimisation for online and media platforms.
