Eid Disruptions Won’t Stop NDC Primaries, Says Party Leadership

1. The Nigeria Democratic Congress has clarified that its Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly primaries will proceed nationwide on May 29 despite logistical adjustments caused by the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.

The party said the changes became necessary following transportation challenges and disruptions linked to the festive period, including the unavailability of flights, which reportedly left several aspirants and members of the screening committee stranded in Abuja after the screening exercise.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, 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 officials deployed to various states are expected to use the day for engagements with stakeholders, elders and aspirants before the commencement of voting.

Cleopas, however, warned that no state institution or security agency, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and INEC, should participate in any activity scheduled for May 28 outside the approved guidelines.

He stressed that any action outside the stipulated procedures would be regarded as illegal and unauthorised.

“The primaries are still scheduled to be held nationwide on May 29, 2026, in keeping with the original May 28 and 29 timetable,” the statement read.

“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.”

The NDC chairman 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 also directed that all results from across 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 further appealed to party members and aspirants to remain peaceful and orderly throughout the process, warning that the NDC would not tolerate violence, disorderly conduct or hooliganism during the primaries.