- APC officially submitted President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima as its 2027 presidential candidates
- INEC confirmed that several political parties have uploaded their presidential nominations ahead of the deadline
- Opposition parties raised concerns over electoral credibility as preparations for the 2027 elections continue
President Bola Tinubu has officially retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, ending months of speculation over the composition of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the APC formally presented the nomination forms of Tinubu and Shettima to its National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, in Abuja on Friday for onward submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), confirming that the party will contest the 2027 election with the same presidential ticket that secured victory in 2023.
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The submission came as political parties raced to beat INEC’s July 11 deadline for uploading the names of their presidential and National Assembly candidates through the commission’s online nomination portal.
INEC also confirmed receipt of the presidential and vice-presidential nominations from several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP), while others were still completing the process before the deadline.
According to the commission’s election timetable, political parties began submitting nomination forms on June 27, while the upload of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates is scheduled to commence on July 18 and end on August 8.
The electoral body maintained that only candidates who emerged from valid party primaries monitored by INEC would be recognised, warning that nominations submitted outside the provisions of the Electoral Act would not be accepted.
The APC’s presentation of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket ended widespread speculation that the President might replace his deputy with a northern Christian ahead of the election.
The nomination documents were presented by the President’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, at a ceremony attended by members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the Federal Executive Council, the National Assembly, APC National Working Committee, state party chairmen and governorship candidates.
APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, described the event as the formal presentation of the party’s duly completed nomination forms and urged members to remain united ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking on behalf of APC governors, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma reaffirmed the governors’ support for Tinubu, pledging to mobilise voters across the country for the party.
Receiving the nomination documents, APC National Chairman Yilwatda expressed confidence in the President’s chances, citing what he described as the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education and other sectors.
He called on governors and party supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation by highlighting government projects and policies to Nigerians ahead of the polls.
Meanwhile, INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna said several parties had completed parts of the nomination process, while others were still uploading candidates’ details as the deadline approached.
He stressed that the commission would not extend the submission window and urged political parties to comply fully with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
Labour Party, NDC and ADC officials also expressed confidence that their parties would complete the upload of all candidates before the deadline.
As preparations for the 2027 elections continued, opposition parties raised concerns over the credibility of the electoral process, alleging attempts to weaken democratic institutions and undermine public confidence in the elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused the Federal Government of using state institutions for partisan purposes, while PDP chieftain Bode George and other opposition figures called for stronger safeguards to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
The Young Progressives Party also expressed concern over what it described as growing threats to Nigeria’s democratic process, urging the electoral umpire to maintain neutrality throughout the election period.
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