2027 Elections: Political Parties Rush to Meet INEC Deadlines

Nigeria’s major political parties have intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections as they work to meet strict deadlines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), according to a report by Vanguard.

Party secretariats across the country were reported to be busy on Friday, with intensified political activities, including membership verification, internal realignments and preparations for primaries.

Under INEC’s timetable, all political parties are required to submit their membership registers by midnight on May 10. This has triggered a flurry of last-minute administrative and political activities across party structures.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded the sale of nomination forms and commenced screening of aspirants. The party is expected to complete screening by May 12 and publish the list of cleared candidates the following day.

Opposition parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), are also holding national conventions, with key decisions expected to shape their primaries scheduled for later in the month.

The Labour Party has outlined its own timetable, with nomination form sales ending on May 16, while screening of governorship and state assembly candidates is set for May 20, followed by national and presidential aspirant screenings on May 22.

Other parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Accord Party, have also released detailed schedules for primaries, appeals, and final candidate selection processes throughout May.

The BOOT Party, meanwhile, has introduced a controversial “Trust Before Ticket” system, requiring substantial financial commitments from aspirants, a move it says is aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability.