PDP presidential aspirants to pay N51m for nomination form

• Party’s primary to hold May 17, 18 •Female aspirants to pay for only expression of interest form

Presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are to pay N51 million for the nomination form.

The party announced this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

The party said all female aspirants are expected to pay for the expression of interest form only.

The PDP has also fixed May 17 and 18 for its primary to nominate its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, who is the PDP National Leader, had reportedly said the party would not present any candidate for the 2027 presidential election, but would support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

At the end of its National Executive Committee meeting recently, the party said it was ready to reclaim leadership at all levels of governance during the 2027 general election.

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 The PDP insisted that it was not a party in dispute and that the era of uncertainty was over and that it remained united as one big family.

But in a timetable and schedule of activities signed by its National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, the party said the nomination forms for all positions will begin on Monday, April 27 and end on Monday, May 4.

Bature said all candidates are expected to be screened between Monday, May 11 and Thursday, May 14, beginning with state Assembly aspirants, followed by National Assembly members, then governorship aspirants, and then presidential aspirants.

 It said the conduct of primaries is expected to commence with the Presidential primary, scheduled for May 17 and 18, followed by primaries for the House of Representatives scheduled for May 21, the Senate for May 23, the governorship for May 25, and the State Assembly for May 27, while appeals arising from all the primaries will take place on May 30.

 All those interested in contesting any of the elections from the state to the federal level are to pay N1 million for the expression of interest.

The nomination form for the presidential ticket is fixed at N50 million, governorship aspirants are to pay N20 million for the nomination form, Senatorial aspirants, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly forms will go for N5 million, N3 million and N2 million respectively.

 At its NEC meeting, the party had stressed the need for strict compliance with the approved timetable to ensure a transparent, credible, and hitch-free nomination process, adding that the proposed schedule of activities was in accordance with the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including the submission of the party’s register of members, conduct of primaries for various elective positions, and adherence to timelines for the resolution of disputes arising from such primaries.

It directed all relevant organs of the party to ensure full compliance with INEC regulations and guidelines, while also directing them to immediately commence the necessary preparations for the forthcoming state primaries.

The PDP also emphasised the need for strict adherence to the approved timetable and schedule of activities, as well as compliance with all relevant statutory provisions to guarantee a credible, transparent, and inclusive process.