The Nigeria Democratic Congress will officially affirm the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, as its presidential flagbearer today, Friday, during its nationwide primary elections. The ratification follows his emergence as the sole aspirant contesting for the presidential ticket of the party.
The National Chairman of the NDC, Moses Cleopas, made the disclosure in a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday. He explained that flight unavailability and general transportation difficulties caused delays in various preparatory activities following the recent screening process held in the nation's capital. According to the official statement, Thursday, May 28, was designated for the arrival of delegates, documentation with security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission, alongside consultative meetings and other preliminary actions preceding the primaries. The chairman noted that the party delegates dispatched to different states were directed to utilize the day for consultations with aspirants, elders, and relevant stakeholders.
However, Cleopas issued a stern warning that no state institution or security body, including the Department of State Services, the police, and INEC, should be involved in the activities slated for May 28. He stressed that any action taken outside the officially approved guidelines would be deemed illegal and unauthorized.
Explaining the situation, he said, "The primaries are still scheduled to be held nationwide on May 29, 2026, in keeping with the original May 28 and 29 timetable. 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."
Cleopas also detailed the schedule for the exercises set for May 29, listing them as the presidential affirmation, followed by the National Assembly primaries or affirmations, the state Assembly primaries or affirmations, and finally the governorship primaries or affirmations. The party leadership instructed that all electoral results from the states must be properly collated and sent directly to the national headquarters for official declaration by the National Working Committee.
Reiterating the directive, the statement added, "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 national chairman concluded by appealing to all aspirants and party members to maintain peace and order throughout the electoral process. He emphasized that the party would not condone any form of hooliganism, disorderly conduct, or violence during the nationwide primaries.
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