ABUJA — Charting its operational path for the next general elections, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially released its comprehensive timetable and institutional guidelines for its upcoming primary elections. In a major fiscal announcement, the party fixed the cumulative cost for its presidential expression of interest and nomination forms at ₦60 million, while introducing a hybrid "open secret ballot" system to govern its internal voting process.

The strategic electoral roadmap was made public in an official statement signed by the NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, and distributed to political correspondents at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja. The announcement officially activates the party's internal machinery as political blocks begin positioning themselves for strategic tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Electoral Timeline: A Fast-Paced Screening and Voting Matrix

According to the approved schedule, the NDC has established a highly compressed operational window to screen aspirants and elect its official flag bearers. The party has directed all prospective candidates to prepare their relevant academic credentials, structural tax clearance certificates, and verified party membership documentation ahead of the formal evaluation dates.

The official administrative and voting timeline will proceed as follows:

  • Form Submission Deadline: Completed nomination packages must be fully processed and submitted to the party secretariat on or before Monday, May 25, 2026.

  • Appeals Window: The party's Electoral Appeals Committee will sit on May 25 and May 26, 2026, to hear and resolve any grievances or disqualifications arising from the rigorous screening process.

  • Legislative and Gubernatorial Primaries: Primary elections for state Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and governorship slots are scheduled to take place concurrently on Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, 2026.

  • The Presidential Primary: The high-stakes Presidential Primary Election will be held in a centralized convention format on Friday, May 29, 2026, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

National Chairman Moses Cleopas clarified that to decentralize logistics and reduce travel burdens, the screening of aspirants for state legislative slots will take place within their respective state capitals. Conversely, all federal legislative aspirants and presidential hopefuls must report directly to the national headquarters in Abuja for cleared processing. Additionally, every single aspirant will be legally required to sign a formal undertaking pledging strict adherence to the party’s code of conduct and a commitment to support whoever emerges victorious.

The Hybrid System: Guaranteeing Internal Democracy

In a move to insulate its voting process from godfatherism, intimidation, and accusations of manipulation, the NDC announced it would utilize the “open secret ballot” system across all primary tiers.

The hybrid method offers a unique structural middle ground: while delegates are openly accounted for, queued, and verified in public view to prevent proxy voting, their actual thumbprinting and ballot placement are done in absolute confidentiality behind secure voting booths. The NDC leadership argues that this framework represents the highest standard of internal democracy, guaranteeing complete transparency for onlookers while fully protecting the individual conscience and safety of the voting delegates.

The Fee Structure: Aggressive Concessions for Inclusivity

Defending its financial requirements, the NDC leadership maintained that its approved nomination fees remain among the lowest and most accessible within the country's current political landscape, especially when contrasted against the triple-digit millions frequently charged by older establishment parties.

The party’s National Working Committee approved a staggered fee layout designed to encourage youth and grassroots participation:

  • State House of Assembly: ₦2.5 million cumulative fee for both forms.

  • House of Representatives: ₦6 million total package.

  • The Senate: ₦8 million for both expression of interest and nomination documents.

  • Governorship: ₦30 million total requirement.

  • The Presidency: Broken down into ₦20 million for the Expression of Interest form and ₦40 million for the Nomination form, bringing the total financial commitment to ₦60 million.

In a deliberate bid to expand demographic diversity and break down historical barriers to entry, the NDC announced major structural discounts. All female aspirants across all elective categories are granted a 50 percent fee reduction, while persons living with disabilities (PWDs) will receive an even larger 75 percent waiver, paying only 25 percent of the standard rate. Cleopas reaffirmed that these concessions reflect the NDC's foundational commitment to building an inclusive, transparent, and merit-driven political platform capable of fielding highly competent leaders for Nigeria's future.