2027: Wike-backed PDP fixes presidential form at N51m, gov N21m

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has pegged its presidential nomination and expression of interest forms at N51 million and the governorship form at N21 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The faction’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, revealed the details in an election timetable released to journalists on Wednesday.

According to the schedule, the group plans to submit its membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission on April 21, 2026, and formally notify the commission of its primaries a day later.

The document indicates that the expression of interest form for all offices is fixed at ₦1 million, while nomination fees differ depending on the position being contested.

Aspirants for State Houses of Assembly are expected to pay ₦2 million, House of Representatives ₦3 million, Senate ₦5 million, governorship ₦20 million, and presidential hopefuls ₦50 million.

Sales of the forms are slated to commence on April 27 and end on May 4, with May 9 set as the deadline for submission of completed applications.

Screening for State Assembly, National Assembly, and governorship aspirants will take place on May 11, while presidential aspirants will be screened on May 12.

The presidential primary election is scheduled for May 18, while governorship primaries will hold on May 27. Primaries for the House of Representatives are fixed for May 21, Senate primaries for May 23, and State Assembly primaries will run between May 21 and May 24.

All appeals are expected to be concluded by May 30, 2026.

Bature added that female aspirants would only be required to pay the expression of interest fee for their chosen positions.

The PDP continues to grapple with an internal rift that has split the party into two camps—one led by Kabiru Turaki and backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and another led by Abdulrahman Mohammed with the support of Wike.

Multiple lawsuits arising from the factional dispute remain before the courts. At the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday, justices indicated that a date for judgment would be communicated to the parties.