Political parties are making a final push to meet the July 11 deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the submission of presidential and National Assembly nomination forms ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
According to The PUNCH, political parties must submit completed Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E through INEC’s online nomination portal by 6pm on Saturday, July 11, in line with Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.
So far, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has submitted the names of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has uploaded the nomination of Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, has yet to officially announce his running mate, although Vice President Kashim Shettima is widely expected to retain the position. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sandy Onor, is also yet to unveil a running mate.
The report noted that the APC may adopt the same strategy it used before the 2023 election by submitting a placeholder vice-presidential candidate before replacing the nominee ahead of INEC’s August 22 substitution deadline.
Party sources told The PUNCH that the APC has already uploaded the Senate nomination forms of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, and several National Assembly candidates.
An APC source said the nomination process has progressed smoothly, adding that the party expects to upload the President’s nomination and that of his running mate before the deadline.
Meanwhile, the PDP says it has completed about 60 per cent of the upload of its National Assembly candidates. National Organising Secretary Umar Bature attributed the remaining delay to the late submission of documents by some candidates but expressed confidence that the exercise would be concluded within the timetable.
INEC is expected to publish the personal particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates on August 1, while governorship and state assembly candidates will be published on August 29.
