Nigeria’s electoral body is pressing ahead with preparations for the 2027 general elections despite ongoing disputes within political parties and legal challenges to its timetable. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that access codes for its candidate nomination portal will be issued on June 26, 2026, with July 11 set as the final deadline for submitting candidate details. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan stressed that the portal will close automatically at the expiration of the deadline, making timely compliance essential for parties hoping to field candidates.
Amupitan underscored the importance of resolving internal party conflicts quickly, warning that unresolved grievances and leadership tussles could complicate the electoral process. He noted that the commission has appealed two recent Federal High Court rulings that questioned parts of its timetable, arguing that the schedule is a coordinated framework of interconnected activities that cannot be dismantled without risking chaos. He emphasized that the timetable covers critical steps such as monitoring primaries, verifying membership registers, printing ballot papers, training personnel, and configuring accreditation devices.
Political parties are moving at different speeds to meet INEC’s requirements. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is prioritizing the resolution of disputes from its primaries before submitting candidate names, while the Young Progressives Party (YPP) has pledged to begin uploading nominees as soon as the portal opens. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has also expressed readiness to comply with the commission’s schedule. These responses highlight the balancing act between internal dispute resolution and the urgency of meeting strict deadlines.
INEC has urged parties to ensure their ICT teams are adequately prepared for the nomination process, stressing that technical lapses will not be tolerated. Amupitan also encouraged political actors to intensify voter education and mobilization efforts, reminding them that credible elections depend not only on the commission’s preparedness but also on the conduct of parties. He called for campaigns that discourage violence, hate speech, and vote buying, while promoting issue-based debates that strengthen democratic values.
The commission’s appeals against the court rulings reflect broader questions about the scope of its constitutional powers in regulating elections. Amupitan argued that while the Electoral Act provides timelines for certain activities, many essential steps are not explicitly covered by law but must still be accommodated within the overall schedule. He warned that isolating parts of the timetable could undermine administrative order and create uncertainty among political actors, stressing the need for a harmonized approach.
Despite these challenges, INEC has assured Nigerians that preparations for the 2027 polls remain on track. The commission reiterated its independence and commitment to impartiality, promising equal treatment for all parties while respecting judicial decisions. With deadlines approaching, political parties face mounting pressure to finalize their tickets, resolve disputes, and comply with the nomination process that will determine their participation in one of the most consequential elections in Nigeria’s democratic history.
