The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has released its official timetable for the 2026 primary elections, outlining a tightly structured schedule and fee regime as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.
Announcing the development, the party said the timetable reflects its commitment to transparency, internal democracy, and adherence to electoral guidelines. According to a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the process will commence with the sale of nomination forms from May 5 to May 10, 2026, while submission of completed forms is slated for May 11 to May 13.
Screening of aspirants is expected to take place between May 14 and May 15, with results to be published on May 17. The party has also provided a window for appeals from May 18 to May 19, ahead of the release of the final list of cleared aspirants on May 20.
Primary elections are scheduled to begin on May 21, with contests for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate seats holding simultaneously at the ward level. Governorship primaries will follow on May 22, while the presidential primary is fixed for May 25. The process will culminate in a National Executive Committee meeting on May 26 and a Special National Convention on May 27, where final ratifications will be made.
The party also confirmed a structured fee framework for aspirants, with the presidential nomination form pegged 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.
Despite the high fees, the ADC said it is taking steps to encourage broader participation. “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,” the statement read.
Reaffirming the party’s expectations, Abdullahi urged members and aspirants to comply strictly with the guidelines. “The timetable reflects our party’s commitment to internal democracy, orderliness, and full compliance with electoral guidelines,” he stated.
