National Leader of the National Democratic Congress Selection Committee, Henry Seriake Dickson, has announced that all aspirants who purchased Expression of Interest Forms will be allowed to participate in the party’s primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

Dickson disclosed this after a joint meeting involving the party’s National Chairman, presidential aspirant Peter Obi, members of the National Working Committee and the Screening Committee led by former governor Sam Egwu.

According to him, the decision followed extensive deliberations and consideration of the large number of aspirants seeking tickets on the party’s platform.

He said successful candidates would later report to the party secretariat for documentation, payment of nomination fees and completion of other requirements.

Dickson added that senior party officials had been deployed across states to oversee the primaries, which are scheduled to hold on May 28 and 29, 2026.

The party also announced that direct primaries would be used for State Assembly positions, while House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential affirmations would take place at local government headquarters.

The former Bayelsa governor stressed that the party remained committed to transparent and violence-free primaries, warning that any aspirant or supporter involved in intimidation, threats or disorderly conduct would face disciplinary action.

He acknowledged logistical and time constraints affecting the planned electronic voting system, noting that the current exercise would be the last manual primary conducted by the party.

Dickson further urged aspirants, stakeholders, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission to work together to ensure peaceful and credible primaries nationwide.