Isaac Samuel
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has unveiled its timetable for the 2027 general elections, fixing the cost of its presidential nomination form at N60 million and governorship form at N30 million.
The timetable, which covers the sale of forms, screening of aspirants and conduct of party primaries, was contained in a statement jointly signed on Tuesday by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, and National Secretary, Barrister Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu.
According to the party, the sale of Expression of Interest Forms will commence on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, and close on Monday, May 18, 2026.
The NDC said screening and interview of aspirants would take place from May 19 to May 21, noting that only aspirants cleared during the exercise would be eligible to purchase nomination forms.
It stated that the sale of Nomination Forms would begin immediately after the screening exercise and run from May 21 to May 23, while completed forms are expected to be submitted on or before May 25, 2026.
The party added that appeals arising from the screening exercise would be heard on May 25 and 26, while primary elections for various elective positions are scheduled for May 27 and 28, 2026.
According to the timetable, the presidential primary election will hold on May 29, 2026, in Abuja.
The party explained that aspirants for State Houses of Assembly would be screened in their respective states, while National Assembly and presidential aspirants would undergo screening at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
It also disclosed that governorship primaries would be conducted at the local government level.
The NDC said all aspirants would be required to sign an undertaking in line with the party’s guidelines and code of conduct.
The party announced the adoption of the open secret ballot system for its primary elections, saying the measure was aimed at ensuring credibility, fairness and internal democracy.
Providing a breakdown of the approved fees, the party said aspirants seeking State House of Assembly tickets would pay N1 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N1.5 million for the Nomination Form.
House of Representatives aspirants are expected to pay N2 million and N4 million respectively for the two forms, while Senate aspirants would pay N3 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N5 million for the Nomination Form.
Governorship aspirants are to pay N10 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N20 million for the Nomination Form, bringing the total cost to N30 million.
For the presidential ticket, aspirants would pay N20 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N40 million for the Nomination Form, amounting to N60 million in total.
The party, however, granted concessions to women and persons living with disabilities, stating that female aspirants would pay 50 per cent of the approved fees, while persons living with disabilities would pay only 25 per cent across all categories.
The NDC maintained that its nomination fees remain among the lowest charged by major political parties in the country.
It reaffirmed its commitment to transparent and credible primaries capable of producing competent candidates for the 2027 elections.
