Adekunbi Ero
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday released guidelines for its primary elections taking place commencing Thursday May 28, 2026, across the country with a directive to all aspirants who picked the Expression of Interest Forms to proceed to their respective states and constituencies for the exercise.
The NDC charged state Chairmen to make adequate security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and credible process in their various states amidst widespread insecurity in the country.
In a press statement on Wednesday signed by the party’s national publicity secretary, Osa Director, a seasoned journalist and lawyer, the NDC disclosed that nobody was disqualified from taking part in the primary, while only successful candidates would proceed to buy the nomination forms.
The statement, which stated that the decisions were part of the resolutions reached by the National Executive Committee (NEC) after the aspirants were screened, said the results of the primaries would be announced “exclusively” by the national headquarters of the party.
The party’s policy on nomination forms marked a departure from what obtains in other major political parties whereby aspirants paid for both expression of interest and nomination forms ahead of party primaries and left to bemoan their losses after losing out.
Under the approved fees released by the party on May 13, 2026, presidential aspirants are to pay N20m for the Expression of Interest Form and N40m for the Nomination Form, making a total of N60m.
Governorship aspirants will pay N10m for the Expression of Interest Form and N20m for the Nomination Form, amounting to N30m.
For Senate seats, aspirants are expected to pay N3 million and N5m for expression of interest and nomination forms respectively, while House of Representatives aspirants will pay N2 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N4m for the Nomination Form.
State House of Assembly aspirants will pay N1m for the Expression of Interest Form and N1.5m for the Nomination Form.
The NDC also announced concessions for women and persons living with disabilities. According to the party, female aspirants will pay 50 per cent of the approved fees, while persons living with disabilities will enjoy a 75 per cent waiver across all categories.
Comparatively, the required fees are among the lowest charged by major political parties in the country.
The party’s Wednesday resolutions read: “Following the conclusion of the screening exercise for aspirants seeking elective positions under our great party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the National Executive Committee (NEC) has reached the following resolutions:
“All aspirants have been cleared to participate in the party primaries across the country. Consequently, no aspirant has been disqualified.
“Every aspirant who purchased an Expression of Interest Form is advised to proceed to their respective states and constituencies to participate in the primaries.
“The NEC also resolved that there shall be no sale of Nomination Forms until after the primaries. Only aspirants who emerge successful from the primaries will be allowed to purchase, complete, and submit Nomination Forms.
“State Chairmen are directed to establish Local Organising Committees (LOCs) for the primaries in their respective states. These committees will assist the Electoral Committees in conducting the primaries across all local government areas.
“Consequently, all State Chairmen are to liaise with INEC EPIMS officials, electoral officers, and relevant stakeholders in the conduct of the primaries.
“The security of lives and property remains paramount. Therefore, State Chairmen are required to make adequate security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and credible process in their various states.
“State Chairmen are also directed to convene meetings today with the Electoral Committees, State Executives, major stakeholders, and all aspirants to strategise for a hitch-free and inclusive primary election tomorrow.
“The announcement of results shall be made exclusively by the national office”.
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