The African Democratic Congress has officially set the stage for the 2027 general elections after unveiling a detailed timetable for its 2026 primary elections, alongside announcing a ₦100 million fee for its presidential nomination form, a move that is already generating strong reactions across Nigeria’s political space.
According to the party, the sale of nomination forms will commence from May 5 and run through May 10, 2026, giving aspirants a narrow window to secure their participation in what is expected to be a highly competitive process. Submission of completed forms has been scheduled between May 11 and May 13, followed closely by the screening of aspirants from May 14 to May 15. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The party further disclosed that results of the screening exercise will be published on May 17, while appeals from dissatisfied aspirants will be handled between May 18 and May 19. The final list of cleared candidates is expected to be released on May 20, setting the stage for the commencement of the primaries.
Primary elections across various levels will begin on May 21, starting with State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate contests. Governorship primaries are scheduled for May 22, while the much anticipated presidential primary will take place on May 25. The process will then culminate in a National Executive Committee meeting on May 26 and a Special National Convention on May 27, where candidates are expected to be formally ratified.
In addition to the timetable, the ADC also announced a structured pricing system for its nomination forms, with the presidential form pegged at ₦100 million, governorship forms at ₦50 million, Senate at ₦20 million, House of Representatives at ₦10 million, and State House of Assembly forms at ₦3 million.
The party, however, introduced concessions aimed at promoting inclusivity, offering a 50 percent discount for youths and a 25 percent reduction for women and persons with disabilities. This approach, according to party officials, is designed to encourage broader participation while maintaining what they describe as a serious and structured nomination process.
The announcement comes at a critical time for the ADC, which has been navigating internal challenges and legal disputes in recent months. Political observers believe that the newly released timetable is part of efforts to project stability, restore confidence among members, and position the party as a credible platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reactions to the ₦100 million presidential nomination fee have been mixed, with some stakeholders arguing that such high costs may limit participation to only wealthy aspirants, while others insist it reflects the financial demands of running a national campaign and ensures only serious contenders enter the race.
As Nigeria’s political atmosphere gradually intensifies, the ADC’s early move to outline its primary process signals the beginning of a broader electoral build up. With timelines now clearly defined and stakes rising, attention will increasingly shift to the aspirants, alliances, and strategies that will shape the party’s path toward 2027.
