Hurdles as ADC releases primary elections timetable

Disaffections have arisen following the African Democratic Congress (ADC) unveiling of its timetable for the 2026 primary elections.

The release details a series of activities leading up to the selection of candidates for various elective offices.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC outlined key dates for the nomination process, screening, appeals, and primaries.

According to the schedule, the sale of nomination forms will run from May 5 to May 10, 2026, while submission of completed forms is slated for May 11 to May 13. Aspirant screening will take place between May 14 and May 15, with results to be published on May 17.

Appeals arising from the screening process will be heard from May 18 to May 19, and the final list of cleared aspirants will be released on May 20.

Primary elections will begin on May 21, 2026, with contests for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate seats conducted simultaneously at the ward level. Governorship primaries are scheduled for May 22, while the presidential primary will hold on May 25.

This will be followed by a National Executive Committee meeting on May 26 and a Special National Convention on May 27, where final ratifications are expected.

The party also announced its nomination fees for the various positions: ₦100 million for the presidential form, ₦50 million for governorship, ₦20 million for Senate, ₦10 million for the House of Representatives, and ₦3 million for State House of Assembly seats.

With these rates, the ADC becomes the second major party after the All Progressives Congress (APC) to fix its presidential and governorship nomination forms at ₦100 million and ₦50 million, respectively.

To promote inclusivity, the party introduced concessions, offering a 50 percent discount for youths and a 25 percent reduction for women and persons with disabilities.

The ADC urged members, stakeholders, and aspirants to strictly adhere to the outlined timetable and guidelines.

The announcement comes amid an ongoing leadership crisis within the party. A recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria reinstated a faction led by former Senate President David Mark, but internal divisions, factional disputes, and legal battles over congresses and conventions persist.

Meanwhile, some key opposition figures are reportedly weighing their options, including possible defections, as disagreements over primary structures and party control intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.