The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is set to ratify Peter Obi as its presidential candidate on Friday, 29 May, 2026 following his emergence as the sole aspirant for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
The party is also expected to conduct governorship, National Assembly and state House of Assembly primaries across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) despite logistical challenges linked to the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, explaining that transportation difficulties and flight disruptions delayed some preparatory activities after the screening exercise held in the Federal Capital Territory.
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According to the statement, Thursday was reserved for arrivals, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, consultations and other preparations ahead of the primaries.
“The primaries are still scheduled to be held nationwide on May 29, 2026, in keeping with the original May 28 and 29 timetable,” Cleopas stated.
“However, in view of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and the resulting public holidays, major transportation and logistical challenges have arisen, including the non-availability of flights.
“Consequently, many aspirants who were in Abuja for the screening exercise, as well as members of the screening team, are currently stranded in Abuja,” he added.
Cleopas explained that party officials deployed to various states were expected to use the period for meetings with stakeholders, elders and aspirants ahead of the exercise.
He, however, warned that no state institution or security agency, including the police, Department of State Services and INEC, was authorised to participate in any political activities conducted outside the approved schedule.
“It added that any action outside the approved guidelines would be considered illegal and unauthorised,” the statement noted.
The NDC chairman outlined the sequence of activities for the primaries, listing presidential affirmation, National Assembly primaries or affirmations, state Assembly primaries or affirmations, and governorship primaries or affirmations.
He further directed that all results from the states must be transmitted to the party’s national headquarters for collation and official announcement by the National Working Committee.
“The respective teams will collate and process all results and forward them to the national headquarters, where the National Working Committee will announce the results.
“No state executive or team has the mandate to announce any results,” Cleopas said.
The party leadership also appealed to members and aspirants to maintain peace and order during the exercise, warning that violence, hooliganism and disorderly conduct would not be tolerated.
