Parties Race Against Time For 2027
Political parties across Nigeria are rushing to adjust their internal structures after the release of the Electoral Act 2026 and a revised timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 general elections.
The new schedule places the presidential and National Assembly polls on January 16, 2027, forcing parties to speed up preparations to meet strict compliance deadlines.
The new law introduces major changes to how parties operate. Candidate selection must now be done through direct primaries or consensus, ending the long-used delegate system.
Parties must also maintain a detailed digital register of members, including their National Identification Numbers, and submit the records to the electoral body before any primaries or conventions.
Some parties are still struggling to adapt. The Labour Party Nigeria is reportedly battling funding challenges and internal disputes while trying to rebuild its structures nationwide.
Officials say preparations are ongoing, though several activities have slowed due to financial pressure and organisational issues.
Others say they are already moving ahead. The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party claim they have begun digital membership registration and other reforms to comply with the new law.
However, the African Democratic Congress argues that the timeline set by the electoral commission could place smaller opposition parties at a disadvantage as the race toward the 2027 elections gathers pace.
