The Nigeria Democratic Congress has insisted that its presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State Assembly primaries will go ahead nationwide on May 29 despite disruptions caused by the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
The party said the decision followed transportation and logistical challenges linked to the festive period, including flight unavailability, which left several aspirants and members of the screening committee stranded in Abuja after the screening exercise.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, the National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas, explained that May 28 would now be dedicated to arrivals, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, consultative meetings and other preparatory activities ahead of the primaries.
According to him, party teams deployed across the states are also expected to use the day for engagements with stakeholders, elders and aspirants.
Cleopas, however, warned that no state institution or security agency, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and INEC, should participate in any activities scheduled for May 28.
He stressed that any action outside the approved guidelines would be regarded as illegal and unauthorised.
“The primaries are still scheduled to be held nationwide on May 29, 2026, in line with the original May 28 and 29 timetable,” he said.
“However, due to the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and the accompanying 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.”
The NDC chairman outlined the sequence for the May 29 exercises 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 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.
Cleopas also appealed to party members and aspirants to remain peaceful and orderly throughout the exercise, stressing that the party would not tolerate violence, disorderly conduct or hooliganism during the primaries.