NDC Waives Nomination Fees For Unsuccessful Aspirants Ahead Of 2027 Primaries

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that only aspirants who emerge victorious in the party’s ongoing primaries for the 2027 general elections will be required to pay nomination fees.

The disclosure was made by the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, in a statement shared on his official X account on Wednesday.

According to Dickson, the decision followed a joint meeting involving the party’s National Working Committee, Selection Committee, and Screening Committee.

The meeting was attended by the party’s National Chairman, Moses Zuwoghe, presidential aspirant Peter Obi, and other senior party officials.

Dickson explained that the party adopted the measure due to time constraints and the unexpectedly high number of aspirants contesting under the NDC platform.

“Following a briefing at the joint meeting of the Selection Committee and the Screening Committee, and in view of the constraints of time, it was decided that all those who purchased Expression of Interest Forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries in their various constituencies,” he stated.

“Only successful candidates will report to the party secretariat for documentation and, in the process, pay for nomination forms and complete other necessary forms.”

The former Bayelsa governor commended the Screening Committee chaired by former Ebonyi State governor Sam Egwu for its handling of the large volume of aspirants nationwide.

The NDC primaries are scheduled to hold across the country between May 28 and May 29, 2026.

Dickson disclosed that senior party officials had already been deployed to various states to supervise the exercise alongside local stakeholders and party leaders.

He urged all committees involved in the process to maintain fairness and transparency, especially in accommodating women and youth aspirants with strong electoral prospects.

The NDC leader also warned against violence, intimidation, or disorderly conduct during the primaries, stressing that the party maintains zero tolerance for misconduct.

According to him, State House of Assembly primaries will be conducted through direct voting at constituency level, while primaries and affirmations for House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential positions will take place at designated local government headquarters.

Dickson further revealed that the party would inaugurate an appeal panel to address complaints arising from the exercise.

He admitted that the party could not fully implement its planned electronic voting system due to limited time and logistical challenges but assured members that future primaries would be conducted electronically.

“As I said at the dinner with aspirants, this will be the last primary election in the NDC to be conducted manually,” he said.

The party had earlier fixed nomination fees for aspirants, including ₦60 million for presidential hopefuls, ₦30 million for governorship aspirants, ₦8 million for Senate aspirants, ₦6 million for House of Representatives aspirants, and ₦2.5 million for State House of Assembly aspirants.

The NDC also announced a 50 per cent discount for female aspirants, while persons living with disabilities are expected to pay only 25 per cent of the prescribed fees.