ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, is expected to be ratified today as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), following his emergence as the party’s sole aspirant ahead of the nationwide primaries.
The party disclosed that governorship, National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly candidates would also emerge across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory despite logistical setbacks triggered by the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja, explaining that transportation difficulties and lack of available flights disrupted some preparations after the screening exercise held in the FCT.
According to him, Thursday was reserved for arrivals, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, consultative meetings, and other preparatory activities ahead of the primaries.
Cleopas stated that party teams deployed to various states were also expected to engage stakeholders, elders and aspirants during the day.
He, however, warned that no state institution or security agency, including the police, the Department of State Services and the Independent National Electoral Commission, should participate in any activities outside the approved guidelines for May 28.
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The statement noted that any unauthorised action outside the approved framework would be regarded as illegal.
“The primaries are still scheduled to be held nationwide on May 29, 2026, in keeping with the original May 28 and 29 timetable.
“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 said.
Cleopas explained that Friday’s exercise would begin with the presidential affirmation, followed by National Assembly primaries or affirmations, state Assembly primaries or affirmations, and governorship primaries or affirmations.
The party also 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 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,” the statement added.
The NDC chairman further appealed to members and aspirants to maintain peace and order during the exercise, stressing that the party would not tolerate violence, disorderly conduct or hooliganism throughout the primaries.