NDC Adjusts Primaries Schedule Amid Travel Chaos and Eid Rush

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has announced adjustments to its final preparations ahead of the party’s nationwide primaries following widespread travel and transport disruptions linked to the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.

In a statement jointly signed by National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas and National Secretary Barrister Ikenna Alex-Morgan Enekweizu, the party confirmed that all presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly primaries would still hold on May 29, 2026, as earlier scheduled.

However, the leadership admitted that transportation challenges particularly limited flight availability affected the movement of aspirants, delegates and members of the screening committee across the country. According to the statement, many party officials and aspirants who travelled to Abuja for screening exercises were unable to leave the Federal Capital Territory due to disruptions in air travel caused by the holiday rush.

As a result, the party announced that May 28 would now serve primarily for arrivals, consultations, documentation with electoral and security agencies and final coordination meetings ahead of the primaries.

“The Eid-el-Kabir holidays created movement and logistical challenges, especially with limited flight availability. Many stakeholders are still arriving Abuja for the exercise,” the party stated.

The NDC also disclosed that meetings with elders, aspirants and critical stakeholders would hold across various states during the day as part of efforts to ensure smooth conduct of the exercise.

The party stressed that no government institution including the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Police or the Department of State Services was expected to participate in any unofficial activities outside approved schedules. It warned that any gathering or action outside the authorised framework would be regarded as unauthorised.

According to the timetable released by the party, the order of the May 29 primaries will follow this sequence:

Presidential affirmation;

National Assembly primaries and affirmations;

State Assembly primaries and affirmations;

Governorship primaries and affirmations.

The NDC further directed that all results from across the federation must be transmitted directly to the national headquarters, where the National Working Committee would officially announce the final outcomes. It also warned state executives and local committees against independently declaring results.

The party called on aspirants and supporters to remain peaceful and orderly throughout the process, insisting that it maintains zero tolerance for violence, intimidation and disorderly conduct.

The primaries are expected to shape the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections amid growing political realignments nationwide.