The Nigeria Democratic Congress has clarified its timetable for the 2026 Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly primaries, confirming that voting and affirmations will now take place nationwide on May 29, 2026.
Key Highlights:
- Nigeria Democratic Congress fixed primaries for May 29, 2026.
- May 28 is for documentation and consultations.
- Eid-el-Kabir travel disruptions caused the adjustment.
- Police, INEC and DSS will not join internal meetings.
- Only the National Working Committee can announce results.
In a statement jointly signed by the party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, and National Secretary, Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu, the party explained that May 28 would be reserved for arrivals, documentation and preparatory engagements ahead of the primaries.
According to the statement, the adjustment became necessary following the Eid-el-Kabir public holidays, which reportedly caused transportation and logistical disruptions across the country, including limited flight availability.
Read Also:
- NDC Enugu North Senate crisis deepens as aspirants reject alleged candidate imposition ahead of 2027 elections
- Amanda Pam: Meet old women who defeated Aisha Yesufu in NDC FCT senatorial primaries
- NDC sets up 20-member selection committee for governorship, National Assembly primaries
The party disclosed that several aspirants and members of screening committees who participated in the recent screening exercise in Abuja were unable to return to their respective states due to travel challenges.
The NDC stated that activities scheduled for May 28 would include documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, consultative meetings, stakeholder engagements and coordination sessions involving party elders and aspirants across the states.
However, the party stressed that no government agency would participate in the internal meetings and programmes slated for May 28.
“No agencies of the state, viz: Police, INEC, DSS, etc., are to play any role in the programmes and meetings of May 28. Any activities carried out outside these guidelines would be unauthorised and deemed illegal,” the statement noted.
The party further clarified that the May 29 exercise would follow a sequence beginning with the presidential affirmation, followed by National Assembly primaries and affirmations, State Assembly primaries and affirmations, and finally governorship primaries and affirmations.
According to the statement, results from the exercises would be collated and processed by designated committees before being transmitted to the party’s National Headquarters for official announcement by the National Working Committee.
The NDC also warned that no state executive committee or party organ had the authority to independently announce results from the primaries.
The party urged aspirants, delegates and supporters to maintain peace and order throughout the process, reiterating its zero tolerance for violence, disorderly conduct and hooliganism.
It maintained that the May 28–29 arrangement remains in line with its original timetable, adding that the adjustment was introduced solely to ensure smooth logistics and coordination after the Eid celebrations.
