The National Democratic Congress, NDC, has unveiled guidelines and modalities for its forthcoming party primaries following the adoption of a report submitted by its Screening Committee.
The report, chaired by former Ebonyi State Governor, Sam Egwu, was formally received after deliberations involving the party’s National Working Committee, Selection Committee, and other stakeholders.
At a high-level meeting attended by the party’s National Chairman, presidential aspirant Peter Obi, and senior party officials, the NDC reviewed the outcome of the screening exercise and approved modalities for the primaries.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party commended the Screening Committee for what it described as professionalism and diligence throughout the week-long screening exercise involving aspirants from across the country.
According to the party, all aspirants who purchased Expression of Interest forms will be eligible to participate in the primaries within their respective constituencies.
Successful candidates are expected to proceed to the party’s National Secretariat for documentation, payment of nomination fees, and completion of other required formalities.
The party also announced the deployment of primary election teams comprising senior officials to all states to supervise the exercise in collaboration with local stakeholders.
Under the approved guidelines, primaries for State House of Assembly positions will be conducted through direct voting at the constituency level, while primaries for the House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential positions will hold at designated Local Government headquarters.
Final results are expected to be announced at the party’s National Secretariat by the Selection Committee and the National Executive Committee.
The NDC encouraged consensus arrangements where necessary to promote unity within the party, while reaffirming its commitment to inclusiveness, particularly for women and youths.
The party also warned against violence, intimidation, and other forms of misconduct during the exercise, stressing that offenders would face disciplinary sanctions.
An appeal panel is expected to be constituted to address grievances arising from the primaries.
The NDC acknowledged that time constraints made it impossible to deploy its proposed electronic voting system, noting that the forthcoming exercise would be the last manual primary election conducted by the party.
It assured members that future primaries would be fully digitised to improve transparency, efficiency, and credibility.
The party further called on stakeholders, security agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission to support efforts toward ensuring peaceful and credible primaries nationwide.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
