The Accord Party has slashed its nomination costs and introduced sweeping waivers for women, youth and Persons With Disabilities as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections, the party’s leadership said on Thursday in Abuja.
National Chairman of the Accord Party, Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem, announced that the party had concluded its National Executive Committee meeting and released its timetable and nomination guidelines for all elective offices. “We have just concluded our NEC meeting, and we have released our timetable and nomination fees. A lot of people have already purchased forms for various positions. I assure you that if there is any endorsement, the media will be the first to hear from us,” Mgbudem said.
He stressed that the party’s presidential candidate will emerge only after primaries. “You cannot declare anyone a candidate yet. A candidate will only emerge after the primaries. Every other person is an aspirant,” he added.
While the party did not release a full schedule of fees in the briefing, Mgbudem confirmed that the NEC had approved measures to reduce financial barriers to participation. The move aligns with Accord’s earlier initiatives to deepen inclusion. In April, ahead of local government polls, the Accord Party in Lagos State announced free nomination forms for female aspirants and Persons with Disabilities.
Mgbudem said the party is focused on upcoming governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states, as well as the 2027 general polls. “Accord is focused on the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun States gubernatorial elections and the 2027 general polls,” he said.
The chairman also addressed claims by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Professor Christopher Imumolen, who recently staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission seeking recognition as national chairman. Mgbudem maintained that Imumolen had been expelled from the party since November 20, 2024. “For the avoidance of doubt, there is no leadership dispute or faction in Accord, and there is no court order in favour of Imumolen or anyone for INEC to comply with. If such an order existed, he would have displayed it publicly rather than resorting to protests,” Mgbudem said.
He described Imumolen’s actions as a bid for publicity and challenged him to present any valid court ruling supporting his claims. “From the above, Imumolen is no longer a member of the party effective 20th November 2024. We will not dissipate energy responding to his antics,” he said.
Mgbudem reaffirmed that he remains the duly elected national chairman, having emerged from the party’s national convention held on 28 July 2024 in Abuja under INEC supervision. “Nigerians know that there is no faction in Accord as members are united in support of the authentic National Chairman,” he said.
The party said the fee review is aimed at expanding access and ensuring that leadership is determined by competence, not cash. This comes amid wider calls for political parties to scrap or reduce nomination costs. Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, an aspirant for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency under the African Democratic Congress, said high nomination fees have turned political participation into an exclusive club for the wealthy. “If leadership is truly about service, then access to contest must not be determined by bank balance, but by vision, integrity, and the courage to lead,” she said. “Political parties must take deliberate steps to eliminate or drastically reduce the cost of nomination forms. I also expect that women and PWDs are allowed to pay discounted fees, if indeed they must pay.”
Other parties have also adjusted their fees ahead of 2027. The African Action Congress pegged its presidential nomination and expression of interest forms at N1 million total, while governorship is N1.1 million, Senate N1.1 million, House of Representatives N600,000, and State House of Assembly N250,000. The AAC approved a 50 per cent waiver on nomination forms for female candidates, while nomination forms for Persons With Disabilities are free of charge.
Mgbudem said Accord remains committed to building a credible platform and will not be distracted by controversies. “Accord remains an indivisible entity. We are working on modalities on how to go about the 2027 elections,” he said.
The party urged prospective aspirants to obtain forms through its official channels and warned members to be cautious of individuals claiming parallel leadership. “The party urges citizens to be mindful of this political merchant who has been roaming the political space and the courts in what the Supreme Court called forum shopping,” Mgbudem said.
