Only Primary Winners Will Pay For Nomination Fees – NDC Declares

National leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has said only aspirants who emerge successful in the party’s primaries will be required to pay nomination fees and complete their documentation.

Dickson disclosed this in a statement shared on his 𝕏 handle on Wednesday, following a joint meeting of key organs of the party.

According to him, the decision was taken at a meeting attended by the NDC National Chairman, Cleopas Moses; the party’s presidential aspirant, Peter Obi; members of the National Working Committee; and members of the selection and screening committees.

Naija News reports that the former Bayelsa State governor said the arrangement became necessary because of the limited time available to the party ahead of the deadline for the conclusion of primaries.

Dickson said all aspirants who purchased Expression of Interest forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries in their various constituencies.

He explained that only those who win would later proceed to the party secretariat for full documentation and payment for nomination forms.

The statement read, “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.

“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.”

The lawmaker, who represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District, said senior officials of the party had been selected and deployed to states to conduct the primaries.

He said the teams would work with stakeholders and local party leaders to ensure that the exercise was properly conducted.

Dickson urged the officials to be open, fair and guided by the interest of the party, adding that the NDC was a platform for all members.

He also reminded the primary election teams that the party was women and youth-friendly and should give fair consideration to aspirants with the capacity to win elections.

He added, “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.”

Primaries Fixed For May 28, 29

Dickson announced that the NDC primaries would take place on May 28 and 29.

He said aspirants should use their Expression of Interest forms to participate in the exercise across their constituencies.

According to him, direct primaries for State House of Assembly positions will hold at the constituency level.

He added that House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential affirmations would take place at local government headquarters.

The NDC leader also announced the inauguration of an appeal panel to consider complaints that may arise from the primaries.

Dickson appealed to aspirants and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during the exercise.

He warned that the party would not tolerate intimidation, threats, violence or disorderly conduct from any aspirant or supporter.

According to him, the NDC is determined to conduct an orderly exercise that gives members confidence in the party’s internal democratic process.

He urged all aspirants to respect the rules and allow members to make their choices freely.

Dickson also acknowledged that the NDC had planned to conduct its primaries electronically but could not fully implement the system because of time constraints.

He said the party remained committed to modernising its internal election process and would adopt electronic primaries in the future.

“As I said at the dinner with aspirants, this will be the last primary election in the NDC to be conducted manually,” he added.