NDC: Only successful aspirants will pay nomination fees — Dickson

Seriake Dickson, national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has announced that only aspirants who emerge victorious in the party’s primaries will proceed to pay nomination fees and complete documentation processes.

Dickson disclosed this in a statement shared on X on Wednesday following a joint meeting involving Cleopas Moses, the NDC national chairman; Peter Obi, the party’s presidential aspirant; members of the National Working Committee (NWC); and the party’s selection committee.

According to the statement, the party resolved to allow all aspirants who purchased Expression of Interest forms to participate in the primaries across their constituencies due to time constraints.

“Only successful candidates will report to the party secretariat for documentation and, in the process, pay for nomination forms and complete other necessary forms,” Dickson stated.

He added that teams comprising senior party officials had been deployed to all states to conduct the primaries with support from stakeholders and local leaders.

“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,” he said.

Dickson urged the committees handling the exercise to ensure fairness and transparency, while giving special consideration to aspirants with strong electoral prospects, noting that the NDC remains committed to youth and women inclusion.

“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 NDC leader confirmed that the primaries would hold on May 28 and 29, stressing that aspirants must present their Expression of Interest forms to participate in the exercise.

He also announced the inauguration of an appeal panel to address grievances arising from the primaries.