Political parties across Nigeria are scrambling to resolve post-primary disputes, complete candidate documentation and conclude consultations on running mates ahead of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s next month deadline for the submission of candidates’ particulars for the 2027 general elections.
INEC said it would begin issuing access codes to political parties this month, enabling authorised officials to upload candidates’ details through its nomination portal, a critical step in the electoral process.
Speaking at the Second Quarterly Consultative Meeting with leaders of registered political parties in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, warned that unresolved internal party crises and ongoing legal disputes surrounding the electoral timetable could complicate preparations for the polls.
“This month, the commission will issue official access codes to all political parties for the purpose of accessing the Candidate Nomination Portal,” Amupitan said.
“These access codes will enable designated national officers of political parties to upload the names, personal particulars and other required information relating to nominated candidates.”
He urged political parties to ensure that their ICT teams and officials are fully prepared, stressing that the portal would automatically close once the deadline expires.
“I urge political parties to ensure that their ICT personnel and relevant officers are adequately prepared and that all submissions are completed well before the stipulated deadlines. The portal is fully automated and will close automatically at the expiration of the prescribed period,” he added.
The electoral commission also expressed concern over ongoing court battles involving party leadership disputes and challenges to its electoral timetable.
Amupitan said INEC had appealed two recent Federal High Court judgments that questioned aspects of its preparations for the 2027 elections, arguing that the timetable is an interconnected framework that cannot be altered without affecting the entire electoral process.
“While the commission remains fully respectful of the decisions of the courts and of the judicial process generally, these judgments raise important legal questions concerning the extent of the commission’s constitutional and statutory powers in coordinating and regulating electoral activities,” he said.
According to him, election planning involves several interconnected activities, including party primaries, candidate nominations, voter education, ballot printing, procurement of sensitive materials, deployment of election technology and training of personnel.
“The commission therefore considers it imperative that all electoral activities be harmonised within a coherent and workable framework that promotes certainty, transparency, administrative efficiency and equal treatment of all political parties,” he stated.
Despite the legal challenges, the INEC chairman assured stakeholders that preparations for the elections would continue in line with constitutional and statutory provisions.
Several political parties told journalists they were on course to submit candidates’ details once the nomination portal becomes operational.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) said it was still resolving appeals lodged by aggrieved aspirants before forwarding the names of successful candidates to INEC.
“The ADC is currently dealing with the issues arising from appeals by those who felt aggrieved at the primaries. We have time, and we will do the needful once this process is over,” ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said.
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) also confirmed its readiness to comply with INEC’s guidelines.
“We have not submitted yet. We will commence uploading the names of our candidates as soon as the INEC portal for the upload of candidates is open,” said YPP spokesman Wale Egbeola-Martins.
Similarly, APGA National Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Opara, said the party had completed the compilation of its candidates’ list.
“We will upload when the portal is open,” he said.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) disclosed that it was processing documentation for candidates who emerged from its presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly primaries.
“The SDP is currently working on all the relevant documents in relation to the uploading of all our candidates for all elective positions,” SDP spokesman Rufus Aiyenigba said.
The Labour Party also expressed confidence that it would meet the deadline.
“We have an NEC meeting where the whole nomination list will be approved. Once the approval is given, the next stage will be to forward the list to INEC,” LP spokesman Ken Asogwa said.
While most parties have produced presidential candidates, consultations over vice-presidential nominees remain ongoing.
Labour Party presidential candidate Dr Chibuzo Okereke is yet to announce a running mate, with party officials saying discussions are nearing completion.
“On the issue of running mate, there are still some consultations ongoing. We are confident that it will be sorted in a few hours from now,” Asogwa said.
The SDP also confirmed that its presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, was consulting widely within party structures before naming a running mate.
“He will soon unveil his choice and will certainly be a most popular and acceptable choice to all, and most value-adding,”
So far, the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) is the only major party to have unveiled a vice-presidential candidate, with Peter Obi naming former Kano State governor Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.
Meanwhile, ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar is continuing consultations ahead of announcing his running mate.
The former vice-president recently hosted former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi in Abuja, fuelling speculation that the former transport minister is being considered for the vice-presidential slot.
A source familiar with the discussions said Amaechi’s performance during the ADC primaries and his influence in the South-South region make him a strong contender.
However, another group within Atiku’s camp is reportedly pushing for media entrepreneur and politician Dele Momodu, arguing that he would bring loyalty and broad appeal to the ticket.
Responding to questions about the meeting, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Phrank Shaibu, described it as part of wider consultations ahead of the 2027 election.
“His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, regularly engages with political leaders, stakeholders, and eminent Nigerians on issues concerning the future of our country,” Shaibu said.
“The meeting forms part of the ongoing consultations among patriotic Nigerians committed to rescuing the country from its current challenges and building a stronger democratic alternative ahead of 2027.”
With less than a month before INEC’s submission deadline, political parties are now under pressure to settle internal disputes, finalise their tickets and complete documentation to avoid missing a crucial stage in the race to the 2027 general elections.
