The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has sued for peace as members staged a peaceful protest over alleged irregularities during the party’s primaries in Edo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NDC primaries to choose its candidates for the 2027 general elections were held nationwide on Friday for the presidential, National Assembly, and House of Assembly elections.

NAN reports that some aggrieved members of the party in the state protested just as the primaries were about to commence, over what they described as irregularities by the National Working Committee in the conduct of the exercise.

The Chairman of the NDC primaries in Edo, Mr Fred Owotorufa, while briefing newsmen in Benin, said the primaries must hold and would be concluded before midnight.

Owotorufa directed all the aspirants and their supporters to move to their various wards and local government areas for the primaries, assuring them that the process would be free and fair.

He said the outcome of the primaries would be sent from the wards to the local government area offices of the party, the constituency offices, and then to the committee in Benin for collation at the state level.

“This process should be concluded before 12 midnight. It’s a selfless sacrifice, and we should all be prepared to sacrifice for our great nation and party.

“We must conclude this process before 12 midnight, and we should sacrifice for it,” he said.

He explained that the NDC does not have a preferred aspirant, adding that it has provided a level playing field for all.

One of the aggrieved party faithful, Mr Cletus Omoruyi, alleged that they were asked to come out early, only for the party leaders to direct them to return to their various wards.

“How is it possible? Look at the time. They are not being transparent enough; hence the protest,” he said.

Another protester, Ms Monica Enabulele, said she was very disappointed with the whole process because they all expected the committee to be proactive.

“We are not sure that we will get what we expected from this process,” she said.

Mr David Omokugbo, a chieftain of the party, demanded that the committee explain the reason for keeping them waiting for so long before issuing the directive on direct primaries.

Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State, has said the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) will not attempt to rig election results during the 2027 elections.

Mohammed also stated that the APM would resist any attempt to rig its candidates out of victory in the 2027 polls.

He spoke at the Bauchi Government House during the affirmation of candidates for elective positions in the state.

Mohammed said the APM would resist any attempt to deny the party victory through electoral malpractice.

He said: “We are not going to think less of our competitors. Even if a child born today is a candidate, I will treat him like an adult.

“It is a new game entirely. We are going back to the communities to share our qualifications and what we have accomplished.

“We won’t ask anyone to cheat for us, but we also won’t let anyone cheat us. This is our policy.”

Mohammed urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the electoral process is transparent and credible.

“If we win, we will accept it. If we lose, we will accept it, especially when there is openness, fairness, and equality. That is democracy,” he added.

The Accord on Friday conducted its National Assembly primaries across the nine federal constituencies and three senatorial districts in Osun State.

The exercise, which was conducted through a consensus arrangement, took place in different locations across the state and was attended by party leaders, delegates, and supporters who gathered to witness the emergence of candidates for the 2027 general elections.

In his welcome address, the party’s Publicity Secretary and representative of the National Chairman, Ambassador Joseph Omorogbe, commended members of the party for their commitment towards sustaining the representation of Salam in the National Assembly.

Omorogbe appreciated party faithful across the state for their support and participation during the consensus exercise conducted in the various constituencies and senatorial districts.

For the Osun Central Senatorial District, the party affirmed Olaoluwa Ganiyu Badmus as its candidate for the Senate election.

Oyewumi Kamorudeen Olalere emerged as the Accord candidate for Osun West Senatorial District, while Fadipe Ibukun Isola was affirmed for Osun East Senatorial District.

In the House of Representatives primaries, Akanni Clement Ademola secured the party’s ticket for the Boluwaduro/Ifedayo/Ila Federal Constituency.

Popoola Alaba Ibrahim emerged as the candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, while Oladebo Lanre Omoleye was affirmed for Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency.

Adetunji Abidemi Olusoji emerged as the candidate for Odo Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe Federal Constituency, while Adewale Morufu Adebayo secured the ticket for Irepodun/Orolu/Olorunda/Osogbo Federal Constituency.

The party also affirmed Mudashiru Lukman Alani for Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency, Olajengbesi Pelumi Jacob for Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, and Eluwole Oluwatosin Odunayo for Ife Federal Constituency.