ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Nigeria Democratic Congress has announced that only aspirants who successfully emerge from its ongoing primaries for the 2027 general elections will be required to pay nomination fees.
The party’s national leader, Henry Seriake Dickson, disclosed the decision in a statement posted on his official X handle following a joint meeting of the National Working Committee, Screening Committee, and Selection Committee.
According to Dickson, the resolution was reached after extensive deliberations involving the party leadership, including National Chairman Moses Zuwoghe, presidential aspirant Peter Obi, and other senior officials.
He explained that the decision was influenced by time constraints and the unexpectedly high number of aspirants seeking to contest under the party’s 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 said.
Dickson added that only candidates who emerge successful at the primaries would proceed to the party secretariat for documentation and payment of nomination fees.
He also noted that the party had already set its fee structure, with presidential aspirants expected to pay N60 million, governorship aspirants N30 million, Senate aspirants N8 million, House of Representatives aspirants N6 million, and State Assembly aspirants N2.5 million.
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He further stated that female aspirants would enjoy a 50 per cent discount, while persons with disabilities would pay only 25 per cent of the stipulated fees.
Dickson commended the Screening Committee led by former Ebonyi State Governor Sam Egwu for what he described as its thorough handling of the large number of aspirants across the country.
The party confirmed that its primaries for the 2027 general elections are scheduled to hold nationwide between May 28 and May 29, 2026.
He added that teams of senior party officials had already been deployed across states to supervise the process, with assurances of transparency and fairness, especially in accommodating women and youth candidates.
Dickson also reiterated the party’s zero tolerance for violence during the primaries, warning that any form of intimidation or disorderly conduct would attract disciplinary action.
He explained that State House of Assembly primaries would be conducted via direct voting at constituency level, while governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and presidential primaries would be held at designated local government centres.
He further revealed that an appeal panel would be set up to handle complaints arising from the exercise.
Although the party initially planned to introduce electronic voting, Dickson said logistical constraints and time limitations forced it to adopt manual voting for this cycle, adding that future primaries would be fully electronic.
He stressed that the decision was not permanent but part of efforts to improve internal democracy within the party going forward.