Major political parties have begun the process of submitting the names and particulars of their candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general election, following the issuance of access codes to the parties.
- +APC, NDC, ADC, PDP, LP secure INEC portal access as candidates’ upload begins
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Labour Party (LP) confirmed on Tuesday that they had received the unique INEC access codes required to upload candidates’ details to the Commission’s nomination portal.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Labour Party (LP) confirmed on Tuesday that they had received the unique INEC access codes required to upload candidates’ details to the Commission’s nomination portal.
Top party officials also told BusinessDay that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have received their access credentials, completing the list of major parties now cleared to begin the electronic nomination process.
Credible sources further disclosed that the APC, NDC and the Nyesom Wike-led faction of the PDP have already commenced uploading the names and particulars of their candidates to the INEC portal, marking the formal start of the candidate nomination exercise ahead of the 2027 polls.
The development came as political parties race to beat INEC’s deadline for the submission of candidates for the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly elections.
However, governorship elections will not be held in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Edo, Anambra, Ondo and Osun states in 2027, as they operate off-cycle governorship election schedules.
NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, on Tuesday disclosed that the party had already commenced uploading its candidates to INEC’s nomination portal, revealing that the name of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had been successfully submitted.
Dickson disclosed this while providing an update on the legal battle surrounding the party’s status after last Friday’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which set aside its earlier ruling that led to the NDC’s registration by INEC.
The court had initially ordered INEC to register the NDC, resulting in its recognition as a political party on February 5, 2026. However, the latest judgment directed parties to revert to the position they occupied before the December 10, 2025, ruling, creating uncertainty over the party’s legal status.
Dickson said the NDC had appealed the judgment and filed a motion for stay of execution, adding that the appeal and accompanying processes had been served on INEC.
“Today, the NDC has filed an appeal against the ruling as well as a stay of execution, which has been served with a covering letter to the INEC Chairman and his team to do what is right according to law and what is legally sensible,” he said
He said the party had already received access to INEC’s candidate nomination portal.
“My name and that of the presidential candidate have been uploaded to the INEC portal, while that of the vice-presidential candidate will be done tomorrow upon completion of the deposition. The process is also ongoing for other candidates.
“In accordance with the INEC timetable, we have until July 11 to upload National Assembly candidates and until July 17 for governorship and State Assembly candidates. There is enough time for all candidates’ names to be submitted, and there is no reason for anyone to panic,” Dickson added.
The Labour Party also confirmed receiving its access codes, ending days of uncertainty over the exercise.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said the credentials were released on Monday. “Yes, the codes were released to us yesterday. I received confirmation from our national chairman,” Asogwa said.
The confirmation followed concerns that some political parties, particularly those embroiled in leadership disputes, had yet to receive the sensitive credentials required to upload candidates’ details to INEC’s portal.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) confirmed receiving its access codes. ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party received the credentials from INEC on Monday.
“We have received the access codes for the various offices from INEC. In fact, we received the INEC codes from them since yesterday,” Abdullahi said.
The development came as political parties intensified efforts to upload candidates’ details ahead of INEC’s deadlines for the 2027 general election.
