BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, says only aspirants who emerge in the party’s ongoing primaries for the 2027 general elections will have to pay nomination fees.
He said the decision was reached following extensive deliberations at joint meeting involving the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), Selection Committee, and Screening Committee.
In a statement posted on his official X account Wednesday, Senator Dickson said the joint meeting was attended by the party’s National Chairman, Moses Zuwoghe; presidential aspirant Peter Obi; and other senior party officials.
According to him, the party adopted the measure due to time constraints and the unexpected high number of aspirants seeking to contest on the NDC’s platform.
Senator Dickson, a former Governor of Bayelsa State, said: “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 commended the Screening Committee led by former Ebonyi State Governor Sam Egwu for what he described as its painstaking work in handling the large number of aspirants across the country.
Dickson stated that teams comprising senior party officials had already been deployed to various states to conduct the primaries with the support of stakeholders and local leaders.
He urged the committees to remain transparent and fair throughout the process, especially in accommodating women and youth aspirants with electoral potential.
The former Bayelsa State governor also reiterated the party’s zero tolerance for violence during the exercise, warning that anyone involved in intimidation, threats, or disorderly conduct would face disciplinary action.
He explained that State House of Assembly primaries would be conducted through direct primaries at the constituency level, while primaries and affirmations for the House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential positions would take place at designated local government headquarters.
Dickson revealed that an appeal panel would be inaugurated to address complaints arising from the exercise.
He acknowledged that the party was unable to fully implement its planned electronic voting system due to limited time and logistical constraints, 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.
The NDC scheduled its nationwide primaries for the 2027 general elections between May 28 and May 29, 2026.
The party had initially pegged its fee structure for aspirants seeking elective positions, with presidential aspirants expected to pay a combined ₦60 million for Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, while governorship aspirants are to pay ₦30 million.
Also, the party has outlined its nomination fee structure, requiring N8 million for Senate hopefuls, ₦6 million for the House of Representatives, and ₦2.5 million for the State House of Assembly.
To promote inclusivity, the party offers a 50 percent nomination fee reduction for female candidates, while aspirants living with disabilities are granted a substantial discount, paying only 25 percent of the prescribed fees.
