ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)Nigeria’s electoral commission says all 22 registered political parties have submitted their membership registers ahead of the 2027 general election, meeting an extended deadline. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will now verify the lists to ensure compliance with the country’s Electoral Act.
INEC announced that every party submitted its register by May 8, 2026, two days before the extended deadline of May 10. The commission had earlier shifted the deadline from April 21 after parties raised concerns about the timeline.
Under Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, parties must submit membership lists at least 21 days before conducting primaries. Political parties are permitted to hold primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who chairs INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, said the compliance shows parties are taking legal obligations seriously. He added that verification is essential to ensure that only legitimate members participate in primaries, strengthening internal democracy.
The registers are expected to contain millions of names across Nigeria’s 22 parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and newer challengers such as the Labour Party. Analysts say the scale of verification will test INEC’s capacity to manage large volumes of data.
Civil society groups welcomed INEC’s insistence on verification, saying it could curb fraud and “ghost members.” “This is a step toward cleaner primaries and more credible elections,” said a spokesperson for the Transition Monitoring Group, a coalition of democracy advocates.
Party officials offered mixed reactions. The APC described the process as “necessary for transparency,” while PDP leaders warned that delays in verification could disrupt their primary schedule. Smaller parties said they feared the process might favor larger organizations with more resources.
The announcement carries historical weight. In past elections, disputes over membership lists have led to bitter court battles, factional splits, and weakened confidence in party structures. By enforcing verification, INEC hopes to reduce manipulation and strengthen trust in Nigeria’s political system.
Globally, the move reflects Nigeria’s effort to improve electoral transparency. As Africa’s largest democracy, Nigeria’s election practices are closely watched by international observers. Verified membership registers help reduce manipulation and enhance credibility, which is vital for regional stability and investor confidence.
If successful, analysts say the verification could set a precedent for stronger internal party democracy and more credible elections in 2027, reinforcing Nigeria’s role as a bellwether for democratic practice in Africa.
