2027 candidates: Saturday deadline puts parties under pressure

Nigerian political parties are in a race against time as the July 11, 2026, deadline for submitting presidential and National Assembly candidate nomination forms looms. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has established strict timelines for this crucial electoral process, which began on June 27.

The commission has designated 6 p.m. on July 11 as the cutoff for parties to submit their presidential and National Assembly candidates' forms through its online portal. This submission process adheres to Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, requiring specific forms like EC9 and EC9A to EC9E.

Further deadlines are set for governorship and state Houses of Assembly candidates, with submissions opening on July 18 and closing on August 8, 2026. The INEC timetable also includes the publication of candidate particulars: August 1 for presidential and National Assembly candidates, and August 29 for governorship and state assembly hopefuls.

In the unfolding political landscape, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress, has announced former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate. Similarly, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has named former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate. Meanwhile, speculation surrounds President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, with reports suggesting he will select Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate. Such a decision would quell ongoing political speculation and reaffirm the APC's strategy of retaining its 2023 ticket for the 2027 election.

Recent events have highlighted potential strains within the APC's alliance, with reports of moves to replace Shettima as Tinubu's running mate. A stakeholders' meeting in Gombe State reportedly ended in chaos after supporters of the Vice President allegedly attacked a party official. The meeting, intended to reaffirm support for Tinubu's second term, notably omitted any reference to Shettima. Tinubu secured the APC presidential ticket on May 23, 2026, after winning the primaries with a significant margin, though his choice of running mate remains a closely watched decision.