ADC Releases Timetable for 2026 Primaries Ahead of 2027 Elections

Key Dates in ADC 2026 Timetable

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Sunday, indicated that the timetable will commence with the sale of nomination forms from May 5th to 10th.

The statement read partly, “The sale of nomination forms will take place from May 5 to May 10, 2026, while the submission of completed forms is scheduled for May 11 to May 13, 2026.

“Screening of aspirants will take place from May 14 to May 15, 2026, followed by the publication of screening results on May 17, 2026.

“Appeals will be heard between May 18 and May 19, 2026, with the final list of cleared aspirants to be released on May 20, 2026.

“Primary elections will commence on May 21, 2026, with elections for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate seats holding simultaneously at the ward level. The Governorship primaries will take place on May 22, 2026, while the Presidential Primary is scheduled for May 25, 2026.

“This will be followed by a meeting of the National Executive Committee on May 26, 2026, and the Special National Convention on May 27, 2026, where final ratifications will be made.

“In line with our commitment to inclusivity and broad participation, we have also approved a structured fee regime for nomination forms across all elective positions. The presidential nomination form is 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.

“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,” it reads.

According to details released by the party, the timetable outlines a structured process leading up to its national convention and primaries.

Earlier schedules from the party show that internal activities are expected to progress through multiple stages, including ward, local government, and state congresses, before the final convention.

These steps are designed to ensure a transparent and participatory process for party members nationwide.

Primaries and Candidate Selection Process

The primaries will determine the party’s candidates for various offices in the 2027 elections. The process is expected to follow the guidelines provided in Nigeria’s electoral framework, which allows for direct, indirect, or consensus-based primaries.

Political observers note that the ADC’s timetable is part of a broader effort by opposition parties to strengthen their internal structures and remain competitive ahead of the elections.

INEC Deadline and Political Pressure

The timetable also aligns with the schedule set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has fixed deadlines for all political parties to complete their primaries.

INEC had earlier set May 30, 2026, as the deadline for party primaries, putting pressure on political parties to finalize their processes within a limited timeframe.

This has led to calls from some opposition figures for an extension to allow adequate preparation.

ADC’s Ongoing Internal Activities

Before the primaries, the ADC has been conducting nationwide activities aimed at strengthening its structure. These include membership registration drives and congresses at different levels.

The party has emphasized the importance of grassroots participation, urging members across the country to engage actively in the process as it builds momentum toward the elections.

Political Significance

The release of the timetable signals the ADC’s intention to position itself as a strong contender in the 2027 elections. With growing discussions around coalitions and political realignments, the party’s internal organization is seen as a crucial step in shaping its future.

Analysts believe that the success of the primaries will play a key role in determining the party’s performance in the upcoming elections.