The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Friday recorded peaceful turn out as it concluded its nationwide presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly primaries, recording what the party described as massive participation across the country.
The exercise which started on Thursday and ended on Friday, saw large turnout of party members and supporters in several states as aspirants contested in direct primaries and affirmation exercises ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NDC, in a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the primaries were largely peaceful, transparent and well coordinated notwithstanding initial logistical concerns caused by the Eid-el-Kabir holidays and transportation challenges.
The party said that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, including the Police and the Department of State Services, monitored the exercise in several locations to ensure compliance with electoral guidelines and to maintain public order.
“The atmosphere at many voting centres was festive, with chants, solidarity songs and jubilant supporters expressing confidence in the party’s vision and leadership.
Party leaders described the successful conduct of the primaries as another major milestone in the steady growth of the NDC as a formidable national political movement committed to democratic participation, credible leadership and national renewal” NDC said.
Reports from across the federation showed orderly voting and affirmation processes, the statement said, while stakeholders commended the conduct of aspirants and supporters during the exercise.
The party also cited its decision to allow aspirants to participate in the primaries before buying nomination forms, calling the process a new approach to deepen internal democracy and expand political participation.
It is under the arrangement that only successful candidates that emerge from the primaries would be allowed to purchase nomination forms.
Observers and supporters are said to have lauded the initiative, calling it one of the first of its kind in Nigeria’s political process.
The mood at several voting centres was said to be festive with supporters chanting solidarity songs and expressing confidence in the party’s leadership and vision.
The NDC leadership also described the successful conduct of the exercise as another milestone in the party’s bid to position itself as a major political force ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party stated that the National Working Committee would complete the collation of results from the states before making official announcements from the national headquarters.
The statement said the turn-out witnessed in the primaries reflected the increasing public interest in the NDC and could further boost the party’s momentum ahead of future electoral contests.
