Political parties are racing to resolve post-primary disputes, finalise candidate lists and conclude consultations on running mates after the Independent National Electoral Commission fixed June 26 for the release of access codes to its nomination portal and July 11 as the deadline for the submission of candidates’ particulars for the 2027 general elections.
- +Post-primary chaos worsens as INEC fixes candidates’ submission deadline
As appeals, grievances and leadership tussles continue to trail the conclusion of party primaries, INEC has warned that unresolved internal conflicts and ongoing court challenges to its electoral timetable could complicate preparations for the polls, even as major parties intensify efforts to beat the nomination deadline and complete their presidential tickets.
As appeals, grievances and leadership tussles continue to trail the conclusion of party primaries, INEC has warned that unresolved internal conflicts and ongoing court challenges to its electoral timetable could complicate preparations for the polls, even as major parties intensify efforts to beat the nomination deadline and complete their presidential tickets.
The African Democratic Congress, the Young Progressives Party and the All Progressives Grand Alliance have expressed readiness to submit the names of their candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission following the conclusion of their primary elections.
The electoral umpire announced that the access codes would allow political parties to begin uploading candidates’ details for the 2027 general elections to its portal.
The INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, during the Second Quarterly Consultative Meeting with leaders of registered political parties, noting that the step follows the completion of party primaries on May 30, 2026.
According to the commission’s schedule, political parties will gain access to the dedicated nomination portal from June 27, while the deadline for submission of candidates’ details is July 11, 2026.
The portal is a critical component of the nomination process, as only candidates whose particulars are submitted within the stipulated period are eligible to contest elections under the platform of their parties.
According to Amupitan, access codes will be issued to authorised national officers of each political party, who will be responsible for uploading nominees’ biodata and other required information into the system.
He cautioned that the process must be taken seriously, urging parties to ensure their ICT personnel are fully prepared ahead of the exercise, as deadlines would be strictly enforced.
“On Friday, 26th June, 2026, the commission will issue official access codes to all political parties for the purpose of accessing the Candidate Nomination Portal.
“These access codes will enable designated national officers of political parties to upload the names, personal particulars and other required information relating to nominated candidates.
“I urge political parties to ensure that their ICT personnel and relevant officers are adequately prepared and that all submissions are completed well before the stipulated deadlines. The portal is fully automated and will close automatically at the expiration of the prescribed period,” he stated.
He also expressed concern about unresolved court cases relating to internal party leadership, describing them as unnecessary distractions that could affect electoral preparations.
He urged political actors to resolve such disputes quickly to keep the electoral timetable on track.
Reiterating the commission’s independence, Amupitan assured stakeholders that INEC would continue to discharge its duties impartially and in line with constitutional provisions.
The INEC boss further encouraged parties to intensify voter education efforts and mobilise citizens to participate in the Continuous Voter Registration exercise to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the elections.
“The success of the 2027 general election will depend not only on the preparedness of the commission but also on the commitment of political parties to uphold democratic principles, respect the rule of law, conduct transparent primaries, discourage violence, hate speech, and vote buying, and promote issue-based campaigns,” he said.
Amupitan noted that the commission would ensure equal treatment for all parties while strictly following the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and all relevant guidelines.
Despite pending appeals against two Federal High Court judgments affecting parts of INEC’s timetable, he affirmed that preparations for the 2027 elections would continue as scheduled under lawful court directives.
The commission disclosed it has filed appeals against two recent Federal High Court rulings that questioned key components of its timetable for the 2027 general elections, warning that any attempt to dismantle parts of the schedule could disrupt the entire electoral process.
Amupitan said the commission had reviewed the two judgments and decided to approach appellate courts for clearer interpretations of its legal and constitutional mandate in organising election activities.
The first ruling, delivered on May 20, 2026, in a case filed by the Youth Party against the electoral body, challenged certain timelines set out in INEC’s election schedule.
The second judgment, issued on May 26, 2026, in a suit instituted by the Social Democratic Party, affirmed the commission’s authority to issue an electoral timetable but struck out some timelines relating to candidate nomination and substitution procedures.
INEC maintained that the disputed timetable is built on interconnected processes that cannot be separated without affecting the integrity of the entire election planning structure.
Citing portions of the court’s own observation in the SDP ruling, Amupitan noted that “an election timetable, without a date for submission of parties’ membership register, timeframe for primaries, etc., is inchoate. Without this timetable, there would be chaos in our electoral system.”
He added that while the commission respects the judiciary and will continue to comply with lawful decisions, the cases raise fundamental questions about the scope of its powers in regulating elections.
“While the commission remains fully respectful of the decisions of the courts and of the judicial process generally, these judgments raise important legal questions concerning the extent of the commission’s constitutional and statutory powers in coordinating and regulating electoral activities,” the INEC chairman said.
According to him, the electoral timetable is not merely a list of dates but a coordinated framework that guides multiple administrative and logistical processes required for credible elections.
He stressed that although the Electoral Act provides timelines for certain activities, several critical steps in election preparation are not expressly covered by statute but must still be accommodated within the overall schedule.
