Political parties are intensifying efforts to resolve post-primary disputes, finalize candidate lists, and conclude consultations on running mates following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) announcement of key deadlines for the 2027 general elections.
INEC disclosed that access codes for its Candidate Nomination Portal will be issued to political parties on June 26, while the submission of candidates’ particulars must be completed by July 11, 2026.
Speaking during the Second Quarterly Consultative Meeting with leaders of registered political parties in Abuja on Tuesday, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the commission remains committed to its electoral timetable despite ongoing legal challenges and internal party disputes.
According to him, authorized national officers of political parties will receive access codes that will enable them to upload the names, personal details, and other required information of nominated candidates to the commission’s portal.
Amupitan urged political parties to prepare their ICT personnel adequately and ensure all submissions are completed before the deadline, warning that the portal will automatically close once the submission window expires.
He also expressed concern over lingering leadership disputes and court cases within some political parties, describing them as avoidable distractions that could affect preparations for the elections.
The INEC chairman emphasized that the success of the 2027 polls would depend not only on the commission’s readiness but also on the commitment of political parties to democratic principles, transparent primaries, issue-based campaigns, and the rejection of violence, vote-buying, and hate speech.
INEC Appeals Court Judgments
Amupitan revealed that INEC has filed appeals against two Federal High Court judgments that questioned aspects of the commission’s timetable for the 2027 elections.
The first judgment, delivered in a suit filed by the Youth Party, challenged some timelines contained in the electoral schedule, while the second, arising from a case instituted by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), upheld INEC’s authority to issue an electoral timetable but struck out certain timelines relating to candidate nomination and substitution.
According to the commission, electoral activities are interconnected and cannot be separated without affecting the integrity of election planning and administration.
He stressed that activities such as party membership verification, monitoring primaries, candidate nominations, ballot production, personnel training, voter education, procurement of election materials, and deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System must operate within a coordinated framework.
Despite the legal challenges, Amupitan assured Nigerians that preparations for the elections would continue in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and lawful court directives.
Parties Express Readiness
Several political parties have indicated their readiness to comply with INEC’s requirements.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) said it is currently addressing appeals and grievances arising from its primaries before forwarding the names of successful candidates to the commission.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party is committed to resolving all disputes before making its final submissions.
Similarly, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) stated that it would begin uploading candidates’ names immediately the nomination portal becomes operational.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) also confirmed that it had completed the compilation of its candidates’ list and would upload the details once the portal opens.
The Social Democratic Party disclosed that it is currently processing documentation relating to candidates who emerged from its presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly primaries.
The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) announced that it had concluded its primaries and was prepared to submit the names of its candidates to INEC.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party said its National Executive Committee is expected to meet this week to ratify the final nomination list before forwarding it to the commission.
Running Mate Consultations Continue
The Labour Party and the Social Democratic Party confirmed that consultations are still ongoing regarding their vice-presidential candidates.
Labour Party spokesman, Ken Asogwa, said discussions on the party’s running mate were nearing completion and would be concluded shortly.
Similarly, SDP National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, said the party’s presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, is consulting widely within party structures before unveiling his choice.
The Nigerian Democratic Congress remains the only party to have officially announced its vice-presidential candidate, with presidential candidate Peter Obi selecting former Kano State Governor Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.
Atiku Intensifies Consultations
Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has also stepped up consultations ahead of naming his running mate.
Atiku recently held talks with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who contested against him in the ADC presidential primary.
Sources within the party suggest Amaechi is being considered as a possible running mate due to his political influence and strong performance during the party’s primary election. However, another group within the party is reportedly promoting media entrepreneur and politician Dele Momodu as an alternative option.
Atiku’s media aide, Phrank Shaibu, described the meeting with Amaechi as part of broader consultations aimed at building a stronger political alternative ahead of the 2027 general election.
He stated that discussions with key political stakeholders would continue as efforts intensify to shape the party’s strategy for the upcoming polls.
