2027 Primaries Trigger Political Scramble Across Parties
INEC Deadline Sparks Nationwide Political Rush
NIGERIA’S major political parties are entering a decisive and highly competitive phase as they race to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline of 30 May 2026 for the conduct of primaries and resolution of internal disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
From the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to opposition platforms including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and others, political activity has intensified across screening halls, party secretariats, and factional offices nationwide.
INEC’s timetable has effectively compressed internal party processes into a tight electoral calendar, forcing simultaneous primaries for presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly positions within days.
APC Opens Race with House of Reps Primaries
The APC has already commenced its primary cycle, beginning with the House of Representatives nomination process across 360 constituencies.
Initially scheduled for Friday, the exercise was abruptly shifted to Saturday, while subsequent primaries remain fixed:
- Senate: Monday, 18 May 2026
- State Houses of Assembly: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
- Governorship: Thursday, 21 May 2026
- Presidential: Saturday, 23 May 2026
President Bola Tinubu has urged party members to ensure peaceful conduct, describing the primaries as a critical test of unity and internal democracy as the party prepares for its fourth election cycle.
Opposition Parties Split Between Timetables and Factions
Across the opposition landscape, preparations are equally intense but marked by internal divisions.
The PDP remains split between two competing structures:
- The Tanimu Turaki-led faction
- The faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike
Both camps are conducting parallel screening exercises and issuing conflicting timetables, with presidential primaries scheduled separately—further deepening internal fragmentation.
Similarly, the ADC, LP, and National Democratic Congress (NDC) have released staggered schedules, with screening exercises, submission deadlines, and appeals processes compressed into the same week.
The ADC has also postponed parts of its screening exercise due to security concerns affecting certain regions.
Screening Battles and Rising Political Tension
Party screening exercises have become a major flashpoint, with multiple aspirants either cleared or disqualified across states.
In the PDP, the Wike-aligned faction has already conducted screening for legislative and governorship aspirants, while the Turaki faction has adjusted its timetable following stakeholder pressure.
The LP and NDC are also concluding screenings for presidential and legislative aspirants under tight timelines, raising concerns about administrative strain and fairness.
Heavyweights Enter the Race
The political atmosphere has further intensified with prominent figures submitting nomination forms under the ADC platform, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
Each has framed their ambitions around national reform narratives, further elevating the stakes ahead of party primaries.
Analysts Warn of Electoral Pressure Cooker
Observers say the compressed schedule and factional rivalries may increase tensions within parties, especially where screening outcomes are disputed.
With INEC’s deadline approaching, parties now face a dual challenge: meeting constitutional requirements while managing internal cohesion and avoiding post-primary litigation.
