The African Democratic Congress has released a revised timetable for its 2026 primary elections and reviewed nomination fees, days after the exit of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso shook its opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the sale and submission of nomination forms would run from May 6 to May 13, 2026.
The party fixed May 13 as the final deadline for submission, while screening of aspirants will hold between May 14 and May 15. Screening results will be published on May 17.
According to the timetable, appeals arising from the screening exercise will be heard between May 18 and May 19, while the final list of cleared aspirants will be published on May 20.
The ADC said primaries for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate would hold on May 21, followed by governorship primaries on May 22.
The presidential primary election has been scheduled for May 23, while the party’s National Executive Committee meeting will hold on May 25. A Special National Convention is fixed for May 26.
The party also announced revised nomination fees, pegging the presidential form at ₦90m, governorship at ₦30m, Senate at ₦10m, House of Representatives at ₦5m, and State Houses of Assembly at ₦2m.
It said youth aspirants between 18 and 35 years would enjoy a 50 per cent discount, while women and persons living with disabilities would receive a 25 per cent discount.
The announcement comes amid fresh uncertainty over the ADC-led opposition coalition following the withdrawal of Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria Peoples Party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
Both politicians had aligned with the ADC as part of efforts to build a broader opposition front ahead of 2027, but later pulled out amid internal disputes and concerns over the direction of the coalition. Reuters reported that their exit has clouded the opposition unity push, while Abdullahi described the development as a setback but not a fatal blow to the party’s ambitions.
The ADC said the revised timetable and fees followed broad consultations with party leaders, aspirants and stakeholders, adding that the changes were designed to strengthen internal democracy and improve access.
It urged aspirants to comply fully with the published guidelines, saying it remained committed to presenting credible candidates to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
