National leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, says only aspirants who win the party’s primaries will proceed to pay nomination fees and complete documentation exercise.
In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, Senator Seriake Dickson said the decision was reached during a joint meeting involving Cleopas Moses, the NDC national chairman; Peter Obi, the party’s presidential aspirant; as well as members of the national working committee (NWC) and the selection committee.
“Following a briefing at the joint meeting of the Selection Committee and the Screening Committee, and in view of the constraints of time, it was decided that all those who purchased Expression of Interest Forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries in their various constituencies,” the statement reads.
“Only successful candidates will report to the party secretariat for documentation and, in the process, pay for nomination forms and complete other necessary forms.
“The teams for the primaries have been selected, comprising senior officials of the party, and have been deployed to every state to conduct the exercise with the support of stakeholders and local leaders. We wish them success in this important assignment.”
While emphasizing that the party supports women and youths, Dickson urged the primary election teams to focus on aspirants with strong chances of winning elections.
“They should liaise with stakeholders and remain open and fair in protecting the interests of all aspirants because, at the end of the day, we are a platform for everyone,” Dickson added.
He added that the primaries would hold on May 28 and 29, noting that aspirants should use their expression of interest forms to enable them to participate in the exercise.
Dickson also announced the inauguration of an appeal panel to address complaints arising from the primaries.
He stated that direct primaries for state assembly seats would be conducted at the constituency level, while affirmations for the house of representatives, senate, governorship, and presidential positions would take place at local government headquarters.
He also urged aspirants and their supporters to avoid violence, warning that the party has zero tolerance for intimidation, threats, and disorderly conduct.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West also acknowledged that the party’s planned electronic primary system could not be fully implemented because of limited time, noting that future primaries would be conducted electronically.
“As I said at the dinner with aspirants, this will be the last primary election in the NDC to be conducted manually,” Senator Dickson added.
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