Senator Seriake Dickson, the national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said only aspirants who emerge successful in the party’s primaries will proceed to pay nomination fees and complete documentation processes.
In a statement shared on X on Tuesday, Dickson said the decision was reached during a joint meeting attended by Cleopas Moses, national chairman of the NDC, Peter Obi, the party’s presidential aspirant, members of the national working committee, 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 read.
“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.”
Dickson, while describing the party as women- and youth-friendly, urged officials conducting the primaries to pay attention to aspirants with strong electoral prospects.
“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,” he added.
The former Bayelsa State governor stated that the primaries would hold on May 28 and 29, adding that aspirants should use their expression of interest forms to participate in the exercise.
He also announced the inauguration of an appeal panel to address complaints arising from the primaries.
According to him, direct primaries for state assembly positions would take place at constituency level, while House of Representatives, senate, governorship, and presidential affirmations would be conducted at local government headquarters.
Dickson urged aspirants and their supporters to avoid violence during the process, warning that the party has zero tolerance for intimidation, threats, and disorderly conduct.
The senator representing Bayelsa West also acknowledged that the party could not fully implement its planned electronic primary system due to time constraints.
“As I said at the dinner with aspirants, this will be the last primary election in the NDC to be conducted manually,” he added.