.Slams N100m as cost of presidential aspirant’s forms
.As Abdulraman Mohammed-led PDP dismisses 103rd National NEC meeting.
By Yahaya Umar
Interim National Executive Committee, NEC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Ex-Minister Kabiru Turaki, yesterday said that Women are exempted from paying for presidential nomination form as preparations for the 2027 general elections gathers momentum.
Besides, the NEC approved the timetable for its 2026 pre-election activities and nomination guidelines ahead of the party’s primaries.
A statement signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee, the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms will begin on May 5 and end on May 13, 2026.
Ememobong, “The NEC considered and approved the timetable for pre-election activities of and guidelines for the party.
“The following activities are scheduled as follows:
“Sales of Expression of Interest and nomination forms: May 5–May 13, 2026
“Last date for submission of already completed forms: May 14, 2026
“Screening of aspirants: May 15–18, 2026
“Screening appeals: May 21, 2026
“Publication of all cleared aspirants: May 22, 2026
“Ward primaries for all offices: May 27, 2026
“Appeals on all primaries: May 28, 2026
“NEC meeting to approve all nominated candidates: May 29, 2026
“Special convention (candidates’ ratification): May 30, 2026
“The costs are as follows:
House of Assembly
Expression of Interest – 500,000
Nomination form – 1,500,000
Expression of Interest – 2,000,000
Nomination form – 5,000,000
Senate
Expression of Interest – 3,000,000
Nomination form – 7,000,000
Governorship
Expression of Interest – 5,000,000
Nomination form – 35,000,000
Presidential
Expression of Interest – 10,000,000
Nomination form – 90,000,000
According to the statement “Women are exempted from paying for nomination forms; they will pay only the Expression of Interest, while youths and people living with disabilities are to pay 50% of the nomination form for the offices of their choice”.
In another development the National Working Committee of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Abdulraman Mohammed, has dismissed the 103rd National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting and the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee constituted at the meeting.
Mohammed, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, said that no such meeting chaired by Sen. Adolphus Wabara was convened by the leadership of the party.
He said that any resolution from the said NEC meeting was null, void and of no effect.
Mohammed said that the party’s constitution did not provide for the establishment of a caretaker committee.
“Even if, for the sake of argument, they possessed the legal authority to convene such a meeting (which they do not), they have once again failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
“Specifically, the mandatory requirement to give the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, a minimum of 21 days notice for such a meeting was blatantly ignored.
“There is no evidence of compliance, nor was INEC in attendance as required by law. This alone renders their actions null and void”, he said.
Mohammed said that the involvement of Wabara in the matter was even troubling, haven been expelled at his ward level by the party for anti-party activities, following his open support for the election of Gov. Alex Otti.
He said that the attempt to cloak those actions under the authority of the Board of Trustees, BoT, was misleading, as the BoT was clearly designated as an advisory body without any executive power.
Mohammed urged the appropriate regulatory bodies to take note and consider necessary disciplinary measures, stating that the entire episode was an attempt to mislead the public and create confusion within the party.
“We, therefore, call on all party members, stakeholders and the general public to completely disregard this illegitimate assembly and its outcomes.
“It has no constitutional basis, no legal standing and no binding authority whatsoever”, he said.
According to him, PDP remains committed to upholding its constitution, the rule of law and democratic principles, under the leadership of Mohammed and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.
