The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set a strict timeline for the 2027 general elections, triggering intense activity among Nigeria’s political parties as they race to resolve post-primary disputes and finalize their presidential tickets.

INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan announced that the commission will release official access codes for its automated Candidate Nomination Portal on June 26, 2026. Political parties will have from June 27 until the firm deadline of July 11, 2026, to upload the personal details and credentials of their candidates. Amupitan stressed that the portal will shut down automatically, urging parties to ensure their technical teams are prepared to avoid disqualification.

Internal Feuds and Court Battles Threaten Timelines

The preparation for the polls faces complications from ongoing internal leadership tussles and recent judicial challenges. INEC is currently appealing two Federal High Court judgments from May 2026—instituted by the Youth Party and the Social Democratic Party (SDP)—which disrupted or struck out specific segments of the election timetable.

Amupitan defended the commission's structured schedule, arguing that electoral processes like voter registration, material deployment, and candidate screening are deeply interconnected. He warned that disrupting individual timelines could destabilize the entire election infrastructure, though he assured the public that preparations would proceed under lawful guidelines.

Parties Finalize Lists and Resolve Disputes

Several political platforms are at varying stages of readiness ahead of the June 26 portal launch:

• African Democratic Congress (ADC): The party is prioritizing internal appeal mechanisms to resolve grievances stemming from its primary elections before uploading candidate data, aiming to avert future litigation.

• Young Progressives Party (YPP) & All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA): Both parties have concluded their candidate compilations and confirmed readiness to upload data as soon as the portal opens.

• Social Democratic Party (SDP): The party is currently organizing documentation for all elective positions, from the state assemblies to the presidency.

• Labour Party (LP): The party's National Executive Committee is scheduled to meet this week to formally ratify its final nomination list.

• Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC): The party has already distributed nomination forms to its primary winners. Addressing the lack of a public candidate roster, the party stated that publishing lists in media outlets is not a legal requirement under the Electoral Act.

The Search for Running Mates Intensifies

The selection of vice-presidential candidates remains a focal point of strategic maneuvering. Currently, only the NDC has formalized its joint ticket, with presidential candidate Peter Obi selecting former Kano State Governor Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate. Both politicians recently moved to the NDC following leadership crises within the ADC.

Meanwhile, the SDP and LP have stated that internal deliberations regarding their vice-presidential slots are entering their final stages and will be resolved shortly.

The most prominent consultations are occurring within the ADC, where presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar is evaluating options to challenge the incumbent administration of President Bola Tinubu. Atiku recently held high-level discussions with former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, who finished behind him in the party's recent primary. Insiders indicate Atiku views Amaechi as a powerful running mate capable of securing vital votes in the South-South region, despite concerns from some party factions regarding potential future friction.

Concurrently, a separate camp within the ADC is advocating for media entrepreneur Dele Momodu, positioning him as a highly loyal alternative who could bridge traditional and modern political demographics. Atiku's media team has framed these high-profile interactions as vital discussions aimed at building a unified opposition coalition before the 2027 polls.