The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says its presidential, governorship and legislative primaries will go ahead nationwide this month despite transportation and logistical challenges linked to the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
In a statement jointly signed by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, and National Secretary, Barrister Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu, the party said disruptions caused by the holiday period had affected the movement of aspirants and officials involved in screening exercises in Abuja.
The party said limited flight availability and travel difficulties prevented several aspirants and members of screening committees from leaving the Federal Capital Territory after the exercises.
According to the statement, the month will now focus on documentation with electoral and security agencies, consultative meetings and other preparatory activities ahead of the primaries.
“The Eid-el-Kabir holidays created transportation and logistical difficulties, including limited flight availability,” the statement said.
It added that party officials would also engage stakeholders, elders and aspirants across the states before the commencement of the primaries.
The NDC stressed that no government agency, including the Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), was expected to participate in any political meetings or activities outside approved guidelines.
“Any actions outside the approved guidelines will be considered unauthorised,” the party warned.
The party also released the order of activities for the primaries, beginning with the presidential affirmation process, followed by National Assembly, State Assembly and governorship primaries.
According to the statement, results from across the country would be collated and transmitted to the party’s National Headquarters, where the National Working Committee would formally announce the outcomes.
The leadership further warned that no state executive committee had the authority to independently declare results.
The party urged members and aspirants to maintain peace throughout the process, reiterating what it described as a zero-tolerance stance on violence, hooliganism and disorderly conduct during the exercise.
