The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the participation of women, youths and persons living with disabilities, PWDs, in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party said the initiative aligns with its pledge to ensure inclusiveness and provide opportunities for all Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, to contribute to nation building.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Secretary, Barrister Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the NDC stressed that financial limitations or physical disabilities should not prevent citizens from seeking elective offices.
“The fact that someone is young and may not be a money bag or is disadvantaged by some physical disabilities should not shut him or her from contributing their quota to nation building,” the statement read.
The party also noted that women have historically faced cultural and structural barriers that limited their participation in politics and democracy.
“Women, due to cultural and other inhibitions, have also been largely receiving the short end of the democracy stick. They therefore need some form of affirmative action to give them the needed push to participate and contest,” Enekweizu stated.
According to the NDC, excluding women from active political participation would amount to denying the country the contributions of nearly half of its population.
To encourage broader participation, the party announced that all female aspirants on its platform will pay 50 percent of the official cost for both the Expression of Interest Forms and Nomination Forms currently on sale.
The statement further disclosed that aspirants between the ages of 18 and 35 years will also enjoy a 50 percent reduction in fees, while persons living with disabilities will pay only 25 percent of the approved charges.
The party clarified that presidential, governorship and National Assembly nomination forms are obtainable at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, while forms for State House of Assembly positions can be collected at state party offices.
