The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that presidential aspirants seeking to contest under its platform in the 2027 general elections will pay a combined N60m for nomination and expression of interest forms as the party formally unveiled its primary election timetable.
The schedule, released on Tuesday by the party’s national chairman, Moses Cleopas, marks the beginning of the NDC’s internal electoral process ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested national poll.
According to the party, the sale of forms will begin on 13 May and run until 18 May, after which aspirants will proceed to screening exercises and nomination processes across the country.
Cleopas said nomination forms would go on sale immediately after screening exercises between 21 and 23 May, while completed forms must be submitted no later than 25 May.
Appeals arising from the screening exercise are scheduled for 25 and 26 May, with party primaries for legislative and governorship positions fixed for 27 and 28 May.
The presidential primary election is expected to take place in Abuja on 29 May 2026.
The party said aspirants for state Houses of Assembly would be screened within their respective states, while screenings for National Assembly and presidential hopefuls would be conducted at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Cleopas added that all aspirants would be required to sign undertakings committing themselves to the party’s guidelines and code of conduct.
In a move the NDC said was intended to improve transparency and credibility, the party also announced that it would adopt an “open secret ballot” voting method during its primaries.
The system, which combines elements of open and monitored voting procedures, differs from the conventional secret ballot by allowing voting processes to be conducted more visibly within party structures.
The NDC argued that its nomination fees remained comparatively lower than those imposed by Nigeria’s larger political parties, despite the steep cost attached to presidential ambition.
Under the approved fee structure, aspirants for state Houses of Assembly will pay N2.5m for nomination and expression of interest forms, while House of Representatives hopefuls are expected to pay N6m.
Senate aspirants will pay N8m, while governorship candidates face a combined fee of N30m.
For the presidency, aspirants will pay N20m for the expression of interest form and N40m for the nomination form, bringing the total to N60m.
The party also announced fee reductions for female aspirants and persons living with disabilities, who will pay 50% and 25% respectively across all categories.
Cleopas said the concessions reflected the party’s commitment to inclusiveness and broader political participation.
“The party reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent and credible primary election process capable of producing competent candidates for the 2027 general elections,” he said.
The announcement comes as political parties across Nigeria intensify preparations for the next election cycle, with internal primaries already exposing tensions over candidate selection, zoning arrangements and the growing financial barriers associated with contesting public office.
