Political parties across Nigeria are intensifying efforts to resolve post-primary disputes, finalise candidate lists and conclude consultations on vice-presidential nominees ahead of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
INEC announced that it will issue access codes to registered political parties on June 26, 2026, to enable them access its Candidate Nomination Portal, while July 11 has been fixed as the deadline for uploading candidates’ particulars.
Speaking during the Second Quarterly Consultative Meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja on Tuesday, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the access codes would be provided to authorised national officers of political parties responsible for uploading the details of nominated candidates.
He urged political parties to ensure that their ICT personnel and relevant officials are adequately prepared, warning that the nomination portal would automatically close once the submission deadline expires.
According to him, only candidates whose particulars are successfully uploaded within the stipulated timeframe will be eligible to contest elections under their respective party platforms.
Amupitan also raised concerns over unresolved leadership disputes and ongoing court cases involving some political parties, cautioning that such conflicts could complicate electoral preparations if not resolved promptly.
He stressed that political actors must embrace internal democracy, respect the rule of law and discourage violence, hate speech and vote-buying in the build-up to the elections.
The INEC chairman further disclosed that the commission had filed appeals against two recent Federal High Court judgments that questioned aspects of its electoral timetable for the 2027 polls.
He explained that while the commission respects judicial decisions, the rulings raise important legal questions regarding INEC’s constitutional powers to coordinate and regulate electoral activities.
According to him, the electoral timetable is an interconnected framework that guides critical activities such as party primaries, candidate nominations, membership verification, ballot production, voter education, training of personnel and deployment of election materials.
“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,” Amupitan said.
Despite the legal challenges, he assured Nigerians that preparations for the 2027 elections remain on course.
Meanwhile, major political parties say they are working to meet the deadline.
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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 INEC.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party is focused on resolving disputes internally to avoid future legal complications.
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) also confirmed readiness to upload candidates’ names immediately the nomination portal becomes operational.
Similarly, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) disclosed that it is compiling the required documentation for submission, while the Labour Party said its National Executive Committee would ratify the final list of candidates before forwarding them to INEC.
Beyond candidate submissions, consultations over vice-presidential candidates are also ongoing in some parties.
The Labour Party confirmed that discussions on a running mate for its presidential candidate, Dr. Chibuzo Okereke, are nearing completion.
The SDP also revealed that its presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, is consulting widely within party structures before unveiling his choice.
So far, the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) remains the only major party to have announced a complete presidential ticket, with Peter Obi emerging as presidential candidate and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso named as his running mate.
Within the ADC, consultations are intensifying over who will partner former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on the party’s presidential ticket.
Sources within the party indicated that former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi is being strongly considered following his performance during the ADC presidential primary and his political influence in the South-South region.
Another camp within the party is reportedly pushing for media entrepreneur and politician Dele Momodu, whom supporters describe as loyal, experienced and capable of complementing Atiku’s political strategy.
Although no official decision has been announced, Atiku’s recent meetings with Amaechi have fuelled speculation about ongoing negotiations ahead of the nomination deadline.
With INEC’s timetable now firmly in motion, political parties face a race against time to settle disputes, complete documentation and present unified tickets as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.