NDC adopts direct primaries for state assembly elections

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership adopted direct primaries for State Assembly elections on Wednesday, following a report from its screening committee. The decision was reached after extensive deliberations involving the National Working Committee, the Selection Committee, and other stakeholders, including NDC National Chairman Moses Cleopas and presidential aspirant Peter Obi. The screening committee, led by former Ebonyi State Governor Sam Egwu, completed its work after nearly a week of evaluating aspirants nationwide. All candidates who purchased Expression of Interest forms will now participate in constituency-level primaries, with successful candidates proceeding to the party’s national secretariat for documentation and nomination fees. The NDC deployed primary election teams across all states to oversee the process, ensuring compliance with party guidelines. Direct primaries will apply only to State Assembly positions, while House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential primaries will occur at local government headquarters. The party emphasized the importance of consensus among aspirants to maintain unity and warned against violence, intimidation, or disorderly conduct. Disciplinary measures will be taken against those undermining the primaries, and an appeal panel will handle complaints. Due to time constraints, the planned electronic voting system could not be fully implemented, though the NDC assured future digitization of primaries.