By CHARLES CHIJIOKE
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially released its timetable for the conduct of the party’s 2026 primary elections, outlining a tight schedule and a structured fee regime for aspirants across all elective positions.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the timetable underscores its “commitment to internal democracy, orderliness, and full compliance with electoral guidelines.”
According to the schedule, the sale of nomination forms will run from May 5 to May 10, 2026, while submission of completed forms is fixed for May 11 to May 13. Screening of aspirants is slated for May 14 and May 15, with results to be published on May 17. Appeals will be entertained between May 18 and May 19, ahead of the release of the final list of cleared aspirants on May 20.
The party disclosed that primary elections will begin on May 21, when contests for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate seats will be conducted simultaneously at the ward level.
Governorship primaries are scheduled for May 22, while the presidential primary will hold on May 25.
The process will culminate in a meeting of the National Executive Committee on May 26 and a Special National Convention on May 27, where final ratifications are expectelevel
On nomination fees, the ADC fixed the presidential form at N100 million, governorship at N50 million, Senate at N20 million, House of Representatives at N10 million, and State House of Assembly at N3 million.
The party noted that, “To encourage wider participation, we have introduced concessional rates, offering a 50 percent discount for youths and a 25 percent discount for women and persons with disabilities.”
ADC further urged members, stakeholders, and aspirants to strictly comply with the approved timetable and guidelines.
The release of the timetable places the party among early movers in preparations for the 2026 electoral cycle, potentially giving it an organisational advantage in candidate selection and campaign planning. However, the high cost of nomination forms—particularly the N100 million presidential ticket—may spark debate over inclusivity despite the discounts announced, as concerns persist about the influence of money in Nigeria’s political process.
With the primaries set to commence later in May, attention will now shift to the calibre of aspirants the party attracts and how the internal process shapes its competitiveness ahead of the general elections.
