RismadarVoice Reporters
May 27, 2026
The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has adopted the report of its screening committee and approved direct primaries for State House of Assembly positions ahead of the party’s forthcoming primaries.
The decision was reached on Wednesday after what the party described as extensive deliberations involving the National Working Committee, the Selection Committee and other key stakeholders.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Osa Director, the NDC disclosed that the meeting was attended by its National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, presidential aspirant Peter Obi and other senior party officials.
The statement noted that the screening committee, chaired by former Ebonyi State Governor, Sam Egwu, submitted its report after nearly one week of screening aspirants from across the country.
“The NDC commends the Screening Committee for its diligence, professionalism and sacrifice throughout the rigorous screening process, which lasted nearly one week and involved an overwhelming number of aspirants across the country,” the statement read.
The party announced that all aspirants who purchased Expression of Interest forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries in their respective constituencies, citing time constraints and consultations with stakeholders.
According to the statement, successful aspirants would subsequently proceed to the party’s national secretariat for documentation, payment of nomination fees and completion of other nomination formalities.
The party also disclosed that teams comprising senior officials and experienced administrators had been deployed to all states to conduct and supervise the primaries in collaboration with local stakeholders and party leaders.
It stated that primaries for State Assembly positions would be conducted through direct primaries at constituency level, while affirmations and primaries for House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential positions would take place at various local government headquarters.
The NDC added that the final results of the exercises would be announced at the party’s National Secretariat by the Selection Committee and the National Executive Committee.
The party encouraged consensus arrangements among aspirants where necessary in the interest of unity and stability, while warning against violence, intimidation and disorderly conduct during the exercise.
It further disclosed plans to inaugurate an appeal panel to address grievances arising from the primaries.
The statement acknowledged that time constraints prevented the full deployment of the party’s proposed electronic voting and collation system but assured members that future primaries would be fully digitised.
