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.
Aspirants contested in direct primaries and affirmation exercises in several states on Thursday and Friday, which saw a large turnout of party members and supporters as part of the exercise 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 officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies including the Police and the Department of State Services monitored the exercise in many locations to ensure compliance with electoral guidelines and to maintain public order.
“Many of the voting centres were a festive atmosphere with chants, solidarity songs and jubilant supporters showing confidence in the party’s vision and leadership.
“The successful conduct of the primaries was 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 described as a new strategy to strengthen internal democracy and increase political participation, its decision to allow aspirants to participate in the primaries before buying nomination forms.
Under the arrangement, only successful candidates that emerge from the primaries would be allowed to buy nomination forms.
The effort has been praised by observers and supporters as among the first of its kind in the country’s political process.
Supporters chanting solidarity songs and expressing confidence in the party’s leadership and vision were said to have made the mood festive at several voting centres.
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 said the National Working Committee would collate the results from the states and make official announcement from the national headquarter.
The turn-out witnessed in the primaries, it said showed the increasing public interest in the NDC which could further boost the party’s momentum ahead of future electoral contests.
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