The political season many Nigerians approach with trepidation is nearly here. Political gladiators are warming up, and parties are rehearsing. Two major parties have issued statements. Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, drew attention to the party's Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections, signed by National Organising Secretary Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu. The schedule outlines timelines for screening interested candidates, appeals from screening outcomes, primary elections, and directives on the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms.
APC Fee Structure
Prospective candidates must pay for expression of interest: House of Assembly and House of Representatives aspirants pay N1 million; Senate aspirants pay N3 million; governorship aspirants pay N10 million; and presidential aspirants pay N30 million. Nomination form costs are additional: House of Assembly N5 million (total N6 million with expression of interest); House of Representatives N9 million (total N10 million); Senate N17 million (total N20 million); governorship N40 million (total N50 million); and presidential N70 million (total N100 million). Women, youths, and physically challenged aspirants receive a discount: they pay 50% of the prescribed nomination fees for each position, plus the expression of interest fee.
APC Timeline
Sale of forms runs from Saturday, 25 April to Saturday, 2 May 2026. Submission deadline is Monday, 4 May. Screening for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship is from Wednesday, 6 May to Friday, 8 May; presidential screening is Saturday, 9 May. Results are published Monday, 11 May. Appeals run Tuesday, 12 May to Wednesday, 13 May. Primary elections are from Friday, 15 May to Saturday, 22 May, starting with presidential (15-16 May), followed by House of Representatives (18 May), Senate (20 May), State Houses of Assembly (21 May), and governorship (23 May). Appeals for all positions run from Monday, 18 May to Monday, 25 May.
PDP Fee Structure
The People's Democratic Party (Nyesom Wike faction) expects N51 million from its presidential candidate for nomination forms, and N21 million from governorship aspirants. Fees for expression of interest and forms range from N2 million (House of Assembly) to N3 million (House of Representatives), N5 million (Senate), N20 million (governorship), and N50 million (presidential). Sales begin 27 April and end 4 May, with submission deadline 9 May. Presidential primary is set for 18 May, with appeals concluded by 30 May. Screening runs 11-12 May.
International Comparisons
Candidature fees are common globally but differ. In the UK, a candidate deposits £500, refundable if they secure a specified vote share. In Singapore, the deposit is 8% of a MP's annual allowances, rounded to the nearest $500; for presidential elections, it is tripled. In India, a security deposit of 25,000 Rupees (Lower House) or 10,000 Rupees (state assembly) is required; candidates forfeit it if they fail to secure 16.7% of valid votes. In Nigeria, fees are outright purchases, not refundable deposits.
Impact on Youth
These high costs lock out many Nigerian youths from contesting elections unless backed by godfathers. A young worker cannot raise N1 million for a House of Assembly form. Governorship aspirants must pay N21 million (PDP) or N50 million (APC), plus campaign expenses. This commercializes electoral processes and sells parliamentary seats to the highest bidder. Winners may prioritize recovering expenses over serving the public, missing the idealism and energy of youth.
Historical Context
In 2017, Professor Wole Soyinka lamented the absence of young leaders, noting that Awolowo was 37, Akintola 36, Ahmadu Bello 36, Balewa 34, Okotie-Eboh 27, and Enahoro 27 when they led Nigeria's independence struggle. Only Zik was 42. Under-30s held key posts: MT Mbu became Foreign Affairs Minister at 23, Pat Utomi a federal adviser at 27. Soyinka asked why today's youth are still dependent, jobless, and barred from political offices. This column added that Soyinka achieved major literary works in his 20s, as did Chinua Achebe at 28. Bode Thomas, Rotimi Williams, and Remi Fani-Kayode founded the first indigenous law firm at ages 29, 28, and 27. These questions remain unanswered nine years later, and adding political blockade to youth aspirations is unconscionable.
