NDC adopts direct primaries for state assembly polls

The party leadership adopted the report submitted by its screening committee and agreed that aspirants contesting State Assembly seats would emerge through direct primaries conducted within their constituencies.

The decision came after meetings involving members of the National Working Committee, the Selection Committee and other senior stakeholders of the party. Among those present were National Chairman Moses Cleopas, presidential aspirant Peter Obi and other leading officials.

According to the party, the screening committee led by former Ebonyi State Governor Sam Egwu completed the screening of aspirants after nearly one week of work across different states of the federation.

The NDC explained that all aspirants who bought Expression of Interest forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries in their respective constituencies due to time constraints and consultations held with party members and leaders.

The party said successful aspirants would later proceed to the national secretariat for documentation, payment of nomination fees and completion of other nomination processes.

It also disclosed that election teams made up of experienced party administrators and senior officials had already been deployed to states across the country to supervise the primaries alongside local party leaders and stakeholders.

While State Assembly primaries will be conducted through direct voting at constituency level, the party stated that primaries and affirmations for House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential positions would take place at various local government headquarters.

The final outcome of the exercises, according to the party, will be announced at the national secretariat by the Selection Committee and the National Executive Committee.

The NDC also appealed to aspirants to consider consensus arrangements where possible in order to reduce tension and strengthen unity within the party.

At the same time, the leadership warned against violence, intimidation and any form of disruption during the primaries. It said disciplinary actions would be taken against individuals found engaging in activities capable of affecting the credibility of the exercise.

The party further announced plans to set up an appeal panel that would attend to complaints and disputes arising from the primaries.

It admitted that limited time made it difficult to fully introduce its planned electronic voting and collation system for the current exercise. However, the leadership assured members that future primaries would be fully digitised as part of efforts to improve internal party processes.