Opposition parties call for credible 2027 elections as INEC unveils schedule
Nigeria’s opposition parties are preparing for the 2027 general elections after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the official timetable. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) have all expressed their readiness to participate. However, they emphasize that the credibility and transparency of the process will be crucial for the legitimacy of the results. The parties are also raising concerns about election budgeting and the need for technological improvements.
What we know
- The presidential and National Assembly elections are set for February 20, 2027, while governorship and state Assembly elections will take place on March 6, 2027.
- Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly polls will run from November 18, 2026, to February 19, 2027; governorship and state Assembly campaigns will be from December 15, 2026, to March 5, 2027.
- Political parties must conduct primaries between July 1 and September 30, 2026, and submit their candidate lists between October 1 and October 31, 2026.
- Jungudo Mohammed of the PDP and Ini Ememobong reaffirmed the party’s readiness, stressing the need for credible elections and resolution of internal issues before primaries.
- The NNPP, through Ladipo Johnson, criticized the N873.778bn election budget as excessive, while the ADC, via Bolaji Abdullahi, called for real-time electronic transmission of results and legal clarity.
