Di Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) don clear say dia presidential, national assembly, governorship and state assembly primaries go still hold nationwide today, according to di party original timetable.
Di party also announce say only aspirants wey emerge successful for di ongoing primaries for di 2027 general elections go pay nomination fees.
For one statement wey di party National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, and National Secretary, Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu sign joint, di party explain say di Eid-el-Kabir holidays don create transportation and logistical wahala, including limited flight availability.
According to di statement, several aspirants wey travel to Abuja for screening exercises, plus members of di screening committee, no fit leave di Federal Capital Territory because of di disruptions.
Di party say May 28 go now be for arrivals, documentation with electoral and security authorities, consultative engagements and oda preparatory activities ahead of di primaries wey dem schedule for May 29.
E add say party teams go also use di day to meet with stakeholders, elders and aspirants across di states.
Di party stress say no government agency, including Police, INEC or DSS, suppose participate for any meetings or activities wey dem schedule for May 28, and dem warn say any action outside di approved guidelines go be considered unauthorised.
Di party outline di sequence for di May 29 primaries as: presidential affirmation; national assembly primaries/affirmation; state assembly primaries/affirmation; governorship primaries/affirmation.
According to di statement, all results from di exercise go be collated and transmitted to di party National Headquarters, where di National Working Committee go officially announce di outcomes.
Di party further warn say no state executive or committee get authority to declare results independently.
Di national leader of di party, Henry Seriake Dickson, also disclose say only successful aspirants go proceed to pay nomination fees and complete documentation.
Dickson disclose dis for one statement wey e post for im official X account on Wednesday, following one joint meeting wey involve di party National Working Committee, Selection Committee and Screening Committee.
According to am, di decision reach after extensive deliberations wey di party National Chairman, Moses Zuwoghe, presidential aspirant Peter Obi and oda senior party officials attend.
Dickson say di party adopt di measure because of time constraints and di unexpectedly high number of aspirants wey dey seek to contest on NDC platform.
“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,” e yarn.
Di former Bayelsa State governor reiterate di party zero tolerance for violence during di exercise, and e warn say anybody wey involve for intimidation, threats or disorderly conduct go face disciplinary action.
E explain say State House of Assembly primaries go be conducted through direct primaries at di constituency level, while primaries and affirmations for House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential positions go take place at designated local government headquarters.
Meanwhile, di NDC spokesman, Osa Director, wey appear on Channels Television Sunrise Daily, say di party don put measures to prevent aspirants from riding on Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso popularity to power.
Unlike wetin happen for 2023, di opposition party go be thorough for screening of aspirants.
“We have learnt from the incident of the past that happened in the Labour Party, and that was why during our screening, we took particular special notice of the fact that a lot of people, especially people from the diaspora who have never participated in politics, rushed to get a form under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC),” Director yarn.
“As you have said, [they did so] probably to ride on the Obi-Kwankwaso wave and also because they see that the NDC is a vibrant alternative platform to the mess we’re having in the country today, and we are conscious of all that.
“Even during the screening, most of them were asked all those questions [about their vision and credentials], so they know. And if you are not on the ground. Who is going to vote for you?”
Di NDC spokesman say im party don learn from dat experience.
“So, flowing from that experience, the NDC has also told all the aspirants that it is not going to be business as usual. We are going to check your pedigree,” Director yarn on di breakfast show.
“If you don’t have a verifiable pedigree and commitment to the party, to the principles and values that the party is espousing, then you are not going to pick a ticket and fly the flag of the NDC. So, we are learning from the mistakes of the past.”
