The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has announced that only aspirants who emerge victorious in the party’s primaries will proceed to pay nomination fees and complete documentation processes.
Dickson disclosed this in a statement shared on X on Tuesday following a joint meeting involving the party’s National Chairman, Cleopas Moses; presidential aspirant, Peter Obi; members of the National Working Committee (NWC); and the party’s selection and screening committees.
According to him, the decision was reached after the committees briefed party leaders on preparations for the primaries and the limited time available before the exercise.
“Following a briefing at the joint meeting of the Selection Committee and the Screening Committee, and in view of the constraints of time, it was decided that all those who purchased Expression of Interest Forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries in their various constituencies,” the statement read.
He explained that only successful aspirants would later report to the party secretariat to complete documentation and pay for nomination forms.
“Only successful candidates will report to the party secretariat for documentation and, in the process, pay for nomination forms and complete other necessary forms,” he added.
Dickson further revealed that the party had constituted and deployed teams made up of senior party officials to all states to oversee the conduct of the primaries in collaboration with stakeholders and local leaders.
The former Bayelsa governor stressed that the NDC remains committed to inclusiveness, particularly for women and youths, while urging officials handling the primaries to prioritize aspirants with strong electoral prospects.
“They should liaise with stakeholders and remain open and fair in protecting the interests of all aspirants because, at the end of the day, we are a platform for everyone,” he stated.
The NDC primaries are scheduled to hold on May 28 and 29, with aspirants expected to present their Expression of Interest Forms to participate in the exercise.
Dickson also announced the inauguration of an appeal panel to handle complaints arising from the primaries.
He explained that direct primaries for state assembly positions would be conducted at constituency levels, while affirmations for House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential positions would take place at local government headquarters.
The senator representing Bayelsa West called on aspirants and their supporters to maintain peace throughout the exercise, warning that the party would not tolerate violence, intimidation, threats, or disorderly conduct.
He also acknowledged that the party’s proposed electronic primary system could not be fully implemented due to time constraints but assured members that future primaries would be conducted electronically.
“As I said at the dinner with aspirants, this will be the last primary election in the NDC to be conducted manually,” Dickson said.
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