Nigeria's 2027 Election Nomination Process Marred by Candidate Imposition

As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general election, the process of nominating candidates by political parties is underway, guided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This crucial phase offers a glimpse into the potential leadership that will emerge, but field reports suggest a troubling trend: the widespread imposition of candidates under the guise of 'consensus.' This practice threatens to overshadow the democratic ideals that the amended Electoral Act 2026 sought to uphold.

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But from field reports, it would seem that imposition of candidates under the pretext of ‘consensus’ is now so commonplace that it could disfigure the coming general election.

The journey towards more transparent nominations has been fraught with challenges. While the previous system of indirect primaries was plagued by fraud, monetization, and the undue influence of 'godfathers' and governors, the introduction of direct primaries was intended to rectify these anomalies. However, the current reliance on 'consensus' candidates, often forced through by party leaders and governors despite the law's provision for direct primaries if any aspirant disagrees, raises serious questions about adherence to the rule of law and the integrity of the electoral process. The very safeguards put in place to ensure fairness appear to be manipulated, leading to a situation where the nomination process itself is compromised.

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While the amended Electoral Act 2026 has removed the option of the much-abused ‘indirect primaries’, the ‘consensus’ option is proving to be no better, despite the safeguard provided in the law.

President Bola Tinubu's admonition to members, aspirants, and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to conduct themselves as sportsmen and women during the primaries underscores the urgency of ensuring a level playing field. The article argues that if intra-party primaries are flawed, the outcome cannot possibly deliver good governance. Credible elections are fundamental to democratic governance and civil order, and therefore, the nomination of candidates must be transparent, participatory, and free from unwholesome practices. The current trajectory risks disfiguring the upcoming election and undermining the public's faith in the democratic process.

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Indeed, if the indirect primaries system was considered defective and jettisoned because it selected candidates through a warehoused surrogacy, the brazen manner in which ‘consensus’ candidates are now imposed raises questions about adherence to the rule of law.