The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that only aspirants who emerge victorious in its ongoing primaries for the 2027 general elections will be required to pay nomination fees.
The decision was disclosed on Wednesday by the party’s national leader, Henry Seriake Dickson, following a joint meeting involving the National Working Committee, Screening Committee and Selection Committee of the party.
Dickson made the announcement through a statement posted on his official X account, explaining that the arrangement became necessary due to time constraints and the unexpectedly high number of aspirants seeking tickets under the NDC platform.
According to him, all aspirants who purchased Expression of Interest forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries without initially paying nomination fees.
“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.
“Only successful candidates will report to the party secretariat for documentation and, in the process, pay for nomination forms and complete other necessary forms, ” he stated.
The former Bayelsa State governor said the decision was reached after consultations attended by the party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, presidential aspirant Peter Obi and other senior officials of the NDC.
He also praised 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 across the country.
The NDC primaries for the 2027 elections are expected to hold nationwide between May 28 and May.
Dickson revealed that senior party officials had already been deployed to various states to supervise the exercise in collaboration with local stakeholders and party leaders.
He urged all committees involved in the process to ensure transparency, fairness and inclusiveness, especially regarding women and youth aspirants considered to have strong electoral prospects.
The NDC leader also warned against violence, intimidation and other forms of misconduct during the primaries, stressing that the party would not tolerate any disruption of the process.
He said anyone found engaging in threats or acts capable of undermining the exercise would face disciplinary measures.
According to Dickson, State House of Assembly primaries would be conducted through direct voting at constituency level, while primaries and affirmations for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and presidential positions would take place at designated local government headquarters.
He further disclosed that an appeal panel would be inaugurated to address grievances arising from the exercise.
Dickson admitted that the party was unable to fully implement its proposed electronic voting system because of limited time and logistical difficulties, 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.
“We understand that the manual process may not be perfect due to time constraints and logistical challenges, and we ask everyone to bear with us.
”Our intentions are sincere, and future primaries will be conducted electronically to minimise complaints and other challenges, ” he said.
Earlier, the party announced its fee structure for aspirants seeking elective offices.
Under the arrangement, presidential aspirants are expected to pay a combined N60 million for Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, while governorship aspirants are to pay N30 million.
Senate aspirants are expected to pay N8 million, House of Representatives aspirants N6 million, while aspirants for State Houses of Assembly are to pay N2.5 million.
The party also announced concessions for special categories of aspirants. Female aspirants are to enjoy a 50 per cent discount on nomination fees, while persons living with disabilities will pay only 25 per cent of the approved charges.
