The national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Henry Seriake Dickson, has announced that only aspirants who emerge from the party’s ongoing primaries for the 2027 general elections will be required to pay nomination fees.
Dickson made this known in a statement posted on his official X account on Wednesday, following a joint meeting of the party’s National Working Committee, Selection Committee, and Screening Committee.
According to him, the decision followed extensive deliberations involving the party’s National Chairman, Moses Zuwoghe; presidential aspirant Peter Obi; and other senior officials.
He said the measure became necessary due to time constraints and the unexpectedly large number of aspirants seeking to contest under the party’s platform.
“Following a briefing at the joint meeting of the Selection and Screening Committees, and in view of time constraints, it was decided that all those who purchased Expression of Interest forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries in their respective constituencies,” he said.
“Only successful candidates will report to the party secretariat for documentation, where they will pay for nomination forms and complete other required processes.”
Dickson commended the Screening Committee, chaired by former Ebonyi State Governor Sam Egwu, for what he described as its thorough handling of the large volume of aspirants nationwide.
He said the NDC primaries are scheduled to hold across the country between May 28 and May 29, 2026, with party teams already deployed to various states to oversee the exercise.
Dickson urged committee members to ensure transparency and fairness throughout the process, particularly in creating space for women and youth aspirants with electoral potential.
He also reiterated the party’s zero tolerance for violence, warning that anyone involved in intimidation, threats, or disorderly conduct would face disciplinary action.
According to him, State House of Assembly primaries will be conducted through direct voting at the constituency level, while primaries for the House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential tickets will be held at designated local government headquarters.
He added that an appeal panel would be set up to handle complaints arising from the exercise.
Dickson acknowledged that the party was unable to fully implement its planned electronic voting system due to time and logistical constraints, but assured members that future primaries would be conducted electronically.
“This will be the last primary election in the NDC conducted manually,” he said. “Future exercises will be electronic to reduce complaints and improve transparency.”
Earlier, the party released its fee structure for aspirants: presidential aspirants will pay ₦60 million for Expression of Interest and nomination forms, governorship aspirants ₦30 million, Senate aspirants ₦8 million, House of Representatives aspirants ₦6 million, and State House of Assembly aspirants ₦2.5 million.
The party also announced a 50 per cent discount for female aspirants and a 75 per cent reduction for persons living with disabilities.
