Political parties across Nigeria have stepped up efforts to beat the July 11 deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the submission of presidential and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general election.
INEC fixed 6 p.m. on July 11 as the closing date for political parties to upload the nomination forms of their presidential and National Assembly candidates through its online portal. The exercise, which began on June 27, involves the submission of Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E in line with the Electoral Act, 2026.
The commission also announced that governorship and State House of Assembly candidates would have their nomination forms submitted between July 18 and August 8.
According to the election timetable, the personal details of presidential and National Assembly candidates will be published on August 1, while those of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates will be displayed on August 29.
Among the major political parties, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has already presented former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate. The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has also submitted the names of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
President Bola Tinubu, who emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has yet to officially unveil his running mate. Although there have been widespread reports that Vice President Kashim Shettima may retain the position, the party has maintained that the decision remains solely with the President.
Tinubu secured the APC presidential ticket during the party’s nationwide primaries held in May and later received his Certificate of Return. Since then, attention has remained on when he will announce his vice-presidential candidate ahead of the submission deadline.
INEC’s timetable also allows political parties to replace or withdraw presidential and National Assembly candidates until August 22. This provision has created room for the possibility of submitting a placeholder vice-presidential candidate before making a final replacement before the deadline.
The APC adopted a similar approach before the 2023 general election when Ibrahim Masari was initially submitted as the party’s vice-presidential nominee before he later stepped down, allowing Kashim Shettima to take the position.
Sources within the APC disclosed that the party has already uploaded the names of several National Assembly candidates, including governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, who are contesting for Senate seats.
Party officials also said work is continuing daily to ensure all candidates are uploaded before the deadline, expressing confidence that the President’s nomination and that of his running mate would be completed before July 11.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also confirmed that it has uploaded about 60 per cent of its National Assembly candidates. The party explained that the remaining submissions are awaiting supporting documents from some candidates but expressed confidence that the process would be completed within the week.
With only a few days left before INEC closes the nomination portal, political parties are making final preparations to ensure they meet the commission’s timetable and avoid any delay that could affect their participation in the 2027 general election.