15 Parties Meet INEC Deadline, Nominate Presidential Candidates for 2027 Election

Chuks Okocha

Fifteen political parties have met the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for holding presidential primaries ahead of the 2027 general election. The National Democratic Party (NDP) remains in doubt after conducting its primary two days past the deadline.

INEC directed all registered parties to hold their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, and to submit their presidential candidates for the January 16, 2027 election. While some parties and political figures questioned INEC’s authority to set the timing of internal party processes, the majority complied with the timetable and produced their nominees on schedule. With primaries concluded, focus is shifting to the broader campaign season, expected to begin on August 19, 2026.

Among the major contenders, President Bola Tinubu secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket after defeating Stanley Osifo in the party’s direct primary on May 23. Tinubu is seeking a second term on a platform of continued economic reforms, infrastructure development, improved security and job creation. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar won the African Democratic Congress (ADC) nomination after defeating former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and banker Mohammed Hayatu‑Deen in the May 25 primary. Atiku pledged to focus on economic revival, private‑sector‑led growth, restructuring, job creation and national unity.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ratified former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as its presidential candidate on May 29. Obi, who ran for the Labour Party in 2023, promised to increase electricity generation and distribution by at least 10,000 megawatts within four years while tackling corruption, insecurity and unemployment. The Labour Party concluded its primary on May 30, electing businessman Chibuzo Okereke as its candidate. Okereke pledged to promote good governance, transparency, youth inclusion and economic opportunities while pursuing reforms in education and healthcare.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde emerged as the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate during the party’s primary in Ibadan on May 30. Makinde promised to expand economic opportunities, strengthen education, modernise infrastructure and improve security through institutional reforms. The African Action Congress (AAC) returned activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore as its candidate after its primary in Abuja on May 26. Sowore pledged a radical overhaul of governance, anti‑corruption reforms, youth empowerment and increased investment in education and social welfare.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) submitted the name of its presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, to INEC following its primary in Bauchi on May 9. Adebayo promised to focus on economic diversification, industrialisation, agricultural development and constitutional reforms. The People’s Redemption Party (PRP) elected former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke as its candidate on May 26, pledging to prioritise economic growth, tourism development, infrastructure and investment promotion. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains split: a faction aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike announced Senator Sandy Onor as its candidate, while another faction associated with Kabiru Turaki declared former President Goodluck Jonathan as its nominee. Both candidates emerged through separate processes held in Abuja.

The National Rescue Movement (NRM) chose actress and film producer Esther Okereke as its first female presidential flag bearer, pledging to prioritise security and economic development. The Action Democratic Party (ADP) nominated Aliyu Abbas, a former aide to Atiku Abubakar, as its candidate, while the Action Alliance (AA) selected its National Chairman Adekunle Rufai Omoaje. Businessman and activist Gbenga Hashim became the Accord Party’s candidate, and Sunday Adenuga secured the Because of Our Tomorrow (BOOT) Party ticket unopposed. The Young Progressives Party (YPP) adopted its National Women Leader Anita Zugwai‑Chukwu as its candidate, who emerged unopposed and pledged to work for national unity, economic growth and improved welfare for Nigerians. These nominations bring the total number of parties that complied with INEC’s deadline to 15.

Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounds the NDP after it announced Ada Fredrick as its presidential candidate on June 1, two days after the deadline for primaries had expired. The development raises questions about the party’s eligibility to participate in the presidential election, although a suit challenging INEC’s authority to impose timelines for party primaries remains pending before the Court of Appeal. Addressing journalists in Abuja, the NDP’s National Publicity Secretary Dr. Emeka Wachuku said Fredrick emerged through a consensus affirmation process conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Political observers say the fate of the NDP’s candidacy may ultimately depend on the outcome of the pending court case and INEC’s final interpretation of its electoral timetable.