The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has confirmed that its long-awaited Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship, and State Assembly primaries will proceed nationwide on Thursday, May 29, 2026.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the party explained that the shift in the actual voting to May 29 was necessitated by logistical challenges caused by the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and the associated public holidays. Many aspirants and members of the screening team who had converged in Abuja for the exercise are currently stranded due to the non-availability of flights and other transportation difficulties.
According to the NDC, May 28 will now be dedicated to arrivals, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, consultative meetings, and other preparatory activities.
“The party has decided that May 28 should be used for arrivals, documentation with INEC and security agencies, consultative meetings, and other preparations, while the actual primaries will now hold on May 29,” the statement read.
Party teams will also use the day to engage with stakeholders, party elders, and aspirants in their respective states. However, the NDC warned that no state agencies, including the Police, INEC, or the Department of State Services (DSS), are expected to participate in any meetings or programmes on May 28. It stressed that any activities conducted outside the approved guidelines would be considered unauthorised and illegal.
Order of Primaries on May 29
The primaries on May 29 will be conducted in the following sequence:
1. Presidential affirmation
2. National Assembly primaries/affirmation
3. State Assembly primaries/affirmation
4. Governorship primaries/affirmation
Results from the various states will be collated and forwarded to the party’s National Headquarters, where only the National Working Committee (NWC) is authorised to announce them. State executives or teams have no mandate to declare any results.
The party urged all participants to maintain peace and decorum during the exercise.
“We call for understanding and urge all participants to conduct themselves responsibly, as the party has zero tolerance for violence, disorderly conduct, and hooliganism,” the statement added.
The clarification was jointly signed by Senator Moses Cleopas, National Chairman, and Barr. Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu, National Secretary.
