By Ayo Kehinde
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has unveiled its timetable and guidelines for the 2027 general elections, fixing N60 million as the total cost for aspirants seeking its presidential ticket while also granting fee concessions to women and Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs).
In a statement issued by its National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, and National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, the party said presidential aspirants are expected to pay N20 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N40 million for the Nomination Form, bringing the total cost to N60 million.
It also announced fees for other elective offices, with governorship aspirants required to pay N10 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N20 million for the Nomination Form.
Senate aspirants are to pay N3 million and N5 million respectively for the two forms, while aspirants for the House of Representatives will pay N2 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N4 million for the Nomination Form.
For State Houses of Assembly positions, aspirants are expected to pay N1 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N1.5 million for the Nomination Form.
In a move aimed at promoting inclusion and encouraging wider participation in the political process, the NDC announced discounts for female aspirants and Persons Living with Disabilities.
The party stated that female aspirants would enjoy a 50 per cent reduction in fees across all categories, while PWD aspirants would pay only 25 per cent of the approved fees.
The NDC also released a detailed timetable for the conduct of its primary elections and related activities ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to the schedule, the sale of Expression of Interest Forms commenced on May 13 and will end on May 18.
Screening and interview of aspirants are scheduled to hold from May 19 to May 21, while the sale of nomination forms will begin immediately after screening and continue from May 21 to May 23.
The party added that completed nomination forms must be submitted on or before May 25.
Appeals arising from the screening process will be heard on May 25 and May 26, while primaries for various elective positions are slated for May 27 and May 28.
The Presidential Primary Election is scheduled to hold on May 29 in Abuja.
The party further explained that aspirants seeking election into State Houses of Assembly would be screened in their respective states, while screening for National Assembly and presidential aspirants would take place at the party’s National Headquarters in Abuja.
It also disclosed that governorship primaries would be conducted at the local government level.
Reaffirming its commitment to internal democracy and credible elections, the NDC said all aspirants would be required to sign undertakings in line with the party’s guidelines and code of conduct.
The party added that it would adopt the “open secret ballot” system during its primaries to ensure transparency, fairness and credibility in the selection process.
The NDC stated that the measures formed part of efforts to conduct transparent and credible primaries capable of producing competent candidates for the 2027 general elections.
