INEC Gives Parties 91 Days For 2027 Primaries

INEC gives parties 91 days to conduct 2027 primaries.
Opposition parties accuse commission of favouring ruling APC.
Digital membership register requirement sparks rejection and criticism.

Political parties have 91 days, ending May 30, 2026, to conduct and conclude their primaries following the release of a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

EDITOR’S PICKS

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri Defects To APC As Atiku’s Son Refuses To Dump PDP
Should Governors Have To Join Ruling Party for ‘Greater Federal Support’?
FEDSA National Pays Courtesy Visit to Lekki LCDA Chairman, Applauds Free JAMB Initiative

EKO HOT BLOG reports that INEC announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

In a statement, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Haruna, said the commission approved the revised timetable after amendments to the Electoral Act 2026.

According to the schedule, party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, will commence on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026. The Act requires parties to submit their digital membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before any primary, congress or convention. Failure to comply could lead to disqualification from fielding candidates.

Opposition parties have, however, criticised the timeline.

The factional National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ini Ememobong, said the party was reviewing the timetable. “There is no doubt that INEC has put opposition parties under unnecessary pressure with the new timetable, and this will in turn give the APC undue advantage,” he said.

The African Democratic Congress rejected the schedule outright. Its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said, “They just want to coronate Asiwaju; it is as simple as that.” He described the requirement for a comprehensive digital membership register as a “near impossible hurdle.”

Similarly, the New Nigeria Peoples Party said the timetable placed the opposition at a disadvantage. Its spokesman, Dipo Johnson, stated, “We are rejecting the new timetable.”

INEC Gives Parties 91 Days For 2027 Primaries

Former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim also faulted the move, arguing that INEC should not dictate when parties conduct their primaries, provided they comply with submission deadlines under the law.