NDC announces date for presidential primaries

The announcement was made on Wednesday by the founder and National Leader of the party, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, through a statement issued after meetings involving the party leadership.

According to the statement, discussions were held between the National Chairman, presidential candidate Peter Obi, members of the National Working Committee and the Selection Committee before the final decision was reached.

The party disclosed that it had abandoned its proposed electronic voting system for the primaries because there was not enough time to fully put the arrangement in place before the exercise begins.

The NDC explained that all aspirants who bought Expression of Interest Forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries within their constituencies.

It added that only candidates who emerge successful from the exercise would later move to the party secretariat to complete documentation, pay nomination fees and fulfill other official requirements.

The party also announced the deployment of teams made up of senior officials to various states across the country to supervise the primaries alongside local party leaders and stakeholders.

According to the leadership, the party remains committed to encouraging the participation of women and young people in the political process. It stated that officials overseeing the primaries had been advised to pay attention to aspirants considered capable of winning elections for the party.

The NDC also warned aspirants and supporters against violence, intimidation and any act capable of disrupting the exercise. It said disciplinary measures would be taken against anyone found engaging in threats or disorderly conduct during the primaries.

The party directed candidates to participate in the primaries scheduled for May 28 and May 29 using only their Expression of Interest Forms due to the tight schedule facing the organisation.

It further explained that direct primaries would be conducted for State Assembly positions at constituency level, while the final outcome of the exercise would later be announced at the party’s national secretariat by the Selection Committee and the National Executive Committee.

The leadership also encouraged consensus arrangements among aspirants where necessary as part of efforts to reduce internal disputes and strengthen unity within the party ahead of the elections.