ABUJA — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially signaled the beginning of its transition toward the next general election cycle, announcing a rigorous and fast-tracked schedule for the sale of forms and the conduct of primary elections. In a comprehensive strategy aimed at early consolidation, the party has fixed its highly anticipated presidential primary election for May 29, 2026, to be held in the nation's capital.
The announcement was contained in a joint statement released Tuesday night by the NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, and the National Secretary, Barrister Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu. The document outlines a meticulous roadmap designed to meet the legal requirements of the electoral umpire while ensuring that the party remains a competitive force against the established political behemoths currently dominating the landscape.
According to the leadership, the window for political hopefuls to begin their journey is remarkably brief. The sale of Expression of Interest Forms officially opens today, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, and is scheduled to close on Monday, May 18, 2026. This five-day window suggests an intentional move by the party to attract serious contenders who have already mobilized their resources and support bases.
In what the party described as an effort to promote inclusivity and provide a platform for competent leadership regardless of financial status, the NDC has positioned its nomination fees at a significantly lower threshold than those of the country’s two major political parties. The party leadership emphasized that their approved fees remain among the lowest in the country, a strategic move likely intended to attract disgruntled members from rival parties or young, emerging technocrats.
A detailed breakdown of the financial requirements shows that aspirants seeking seats in the various State Houses of Assembly will pay a total of 2.5 million Naira—comprising 1 million Naira for the Expression of Interest Form and 1.5 million Naira for the Nomination Form. For the House of Representatives, the total cost stands at 6 million Naira, while those eyeing a seat in the Senate must provide 8 million Naira.
The stakes rise significantly for the executive positions. Governorship aspirants are expected to pay a combined fee of 30 million Naira, consisting of 10 million Naira for Expression of Interest and 20 million Naira for the Nomination Form. At the apex of the pyramid, the presidential ticket carries a 60 million Naira price tag, with the Expression of Interest Form fixed at 20 million Naira and the Nomination Form at 40 million Naira.
The NDC has also introduced a progressive discount structure to encourage diversity within the corridors of power. The statement clarified that female aspirants would receive a 50 percent discount on all fees, while persons living with disabilities (PWDs) are entitled to a 75 percent discount, paying only 25 percent of the required amounts across all categories.
Following the initial purchase of Expression of Interest Forms, the party will move into an intensive vetting phase. Screening and interviews for all aspirants are scheduled to take place from May 19 to May 21, 2026. This exercise is mandatory, and the party has warned that only those cleared during this window will be eligible to proceed to the purchase of the actual Nomination Forms. Aspirants have been strictly advised to appear before the screening committees with their relevant credentials and supporting documents to prove their eligibility under both the party’s constitution and the national electoral laws.
The NDC leadership clarified that the screening for State House of Assembly aspirants will be localized within their respective states to ensure grassroots participation and local oversight. Conversely, the vetting of aspirants for the National Assembly and the Presidency will be centralized at the NDC National Headquarters in Abuja.
The sale of Nomination Forms will follow immediately after the screening, running from Thursday, May 21, to Saturday, May 23, 2026. All completed forms, along with the necessary documentation and signed undertakings, must be returned to the party secretariat on or before May 25, 2026. This undertaking, according to the party, binds aspirants to a specific code of conduct and the party’s internal guidelines to prevent post-primary litigations.
Internal grievances will be handled by an appeals committee on May 25 and 26, immediately followed by the primary elections for various offices on May 27 and 28. The climax of the process will be the Presidential Primary Election on May 29, 2026.
To ensure the integrity of the selection process, the NDC has announced that it will adopt the "open secret ballot" system for its primaries. This mechanism is intended to guarantee credibility and fairness, shielding delegates from intimidation while ensuring the transparency of the final count. Governorship primaries, notably, will be conducted at the local government level to reflect the decentralized nature of state administration.
Senator Zuwoghe and Barrister Enekweizu reaffirmed the party's commitment to producing a "competent" crop of candidates for 2027. They assured all members and prospective aspirants of a transparent, inclusive, and democratic process, positioning the NDC as a credible alternative for Nigerians seeking a departure from the political status quo. As the gates open today for the purchase of forms, the political atmosphere in Abuja is expected to heighten, with various interests vying for the soul of the NDC ahead of the 2027 polls.
