Seriake Dickson, national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says only aspirants who emerge as candidates in the party’s primaries will pay for nomination forms.
In a statement issued after the party’s stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, Dickson said the decision followed consultations with party leaders and members of the screening and selection committees.
According to him, the meeting involved the party’s national chairman, Peter Obi, and members of the national working committee (NWC).
Dickson said the party received the report of the screening committee chaired by Sam Egwu.
He thanked the committee for handling what he described as an unexpectedly high number of aspirants across the country.
“Their numbers run into thousands, and we wish them the very best,” he said.
Dickson said the party resolved that all aspirants who purchased expression of interest forms would participate in the primaries because of time constraints.
“Only successful candidates will report to the party secretariat for documentation and, in the process, pay for nomination forms,” he said.
PARTY TEAM TO CONDUCT PRIMARY
The former Bayelsa governor said the party has deployed teams to all states to conduct the primaries.
He added that the NDC would prioritise aspirants with electoral value, while also promoting women and youth participation.
“Our party is women- and youth-friendly,” he said.
Dickson warned aspirants and supporters against violence during the exercise.
“The party will take serious action against anyone who resorts to violence, threats, intimidation, or disorderly conduct,” he said.
He said the primaries would hold on May 28 and 29 using only expression of interest forms.
According to him, state assembly primaries will be conducted through direct voting at constituency level, while house of representatives, senate, governorship and presidential affirmations will take place at local government headquarters.
Dickson also announced that an appeal panel would be inaugurated to handle complaints arising from the exercise.
He acknowledged that the party could not fully deploy its planned electronic voting system because of limited time.
“This will be the last primary election in the NDC to be conducted manually,” he said.
“We understand that the manual process may not be perfect due to time constraints and logistical challenges.”
Dickson urged party officials to work with stakeholders, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security agencies to ensure credible and peaceful primaries.
“We are striving to build an enduring modern political institution, not a special-purpose vehicle for any individual political interest,” he said.
