… cites transport and logistics challenges, warns against unauthorised activities ahead of nationwide exercise
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has confirmed that its presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State Assembly primaries will still hold nationwide on May 29 despite adjustments caused by the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, said the changes became necessary due to transportation and logistical challenges linked to the festive period, including the unavailability of flights.
According to him, many aspirants and members of the screening committee who travelled to Abuja for the screening exercise were stranded following the holiday disruptions.
Cleopas explained that May 28 would now be dedicated to arrivals, documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, consultations and other preparatory activities ahead of the primaries.
He added that party officials deployed to various states would also use the day to engage stakeholders, elders and aspirants.
The NDC chairman, however, warned that no state institution or security agency, including the Police, DSS and INEC, should participate in any activities scheduled for May 28, stressing that any action outside the approved guidelines would be considered illegal and unauthorised.
He reaffirmed that the primaries would proceed nationwide on May 29 in line with the party’s timetable.
Cleopas also outlined the order of the exercises for the day as presidential affirmation, National Assembly primaries or affirmations, State Assembly primaries or affirmations, and governorship primaries or affirmations.
The party further directed that all results from the states must be collated and forwarded to the national headquarters for announcement by the National Working Committee, noting that no state executive has the authority to declare results independently.
The NDC also appealed to members and aspirants to remain peaceful and orderly throughout the exercise, warning that violence, disorderly conduct and hooliganism would not be tolerated during the primaries.