By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigeria Democratic Congress has fixed ₦60 million as the total cost for aspirants seeking to contest its presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the party’s timetable and schedule of fees released on Tuesday, presidential aspirants will pay ₦20 million for the Expression of Interest Form and ₦40 million for the Nomination Form.
The timetable, jointly signed by the party’s National Chairman, Moses Zwughele, and National Secretary, Ikenna Enenweizu, also outlined timelines for the sale of forms, screening of aspirants, appeals, and primary elections for all elective positions.
The party said the sale of Expression of Interest Forms would commence on May 13, 2026, and close on May 18, 2026, while screening and interviews of aspirants would take place between May 19 and May 21, 2026.
According to the statement, the screening exercise will determine the eligibility of aspirants to proceed with the purchase of Nomination Forms.
“The party advises all aspirants to attend the screening exercise with all relevant credentials and supporting documents,” the statement read.
The sale of Nomination Forms is scheduled for May 21 to May 23, while completed forms must 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 offices are slated for May 27 and 28, 2026.
The presidential primary election will hold on May 29, 2026, in Abuja.
Under the approved fee structure, aspirants for State Houses of Assembly will pay ₦2.5 million, while House of Representatives aspirants are expected to pay ₦6 million. Senate aspirants will pay ₦8 million, while governorship aspirants will pay ₦30 million, comprising ₦10 million for the Expression of Interest Form and ₦20 million for the Nomination Form.
The party stated that its fees remain among the lowest charged by major political parties in the country.
It also announced concessions for special categories of aspirants, with female aspirants expected to pay 50 per cent of the prescribed fees, while persons living with disabilities will pay 25 per cent across all categories.
The NDC further stated that all aspirants would be required to sign an undertaking in line with the party’s guidelines and code of conduct.
According to the timetable, aspirants seeking State House of Assembly tickets will be screened in their respective states, while screening for National Assembly and presidential aspirants will take place at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja. Governorship primaries, the party added, will be conducted at the local government level.
The party also said it would adopt the open secret ballot system for all primary elections to strengthen credibility and internal democracy.
Founded under the guidance of Seriake Dickson, the NDC has recently attracted several high-profile politicians, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former New Nigeria Peoples Party presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso, who recently joined the movement ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party held its inaugural national convention on May 9, 2026, at the Los Angeles Event Centre, where it formally zoned its presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria.
