Nigeria’s political landscape has been jolted into early campaign mode after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed February 20, 2027, for the next general elections — a timeline that has left most registered parties racing against the clock.
Under the schedule released by INEC, presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 20, 2027, while governorship and state assembly polls are slated for March 6, 2027. Party primaries are to take place between May 22 and June 20, 2026, with campaigns expected to begin in September 2026.
The compressed timetable demands immediate nationwide mobilisation — and not all parties appear ready.
There are also indications that the date could be reviewed. Muslim leaders and groups have raised concerns that the February 20 poll may coincide with Ramadan, potentially affecting voter turnout. Any adjustment to January 2027 would further tighten preparation windows.
Only Five Parties Positioned for Nationwide Contest
Findings indicate that among Nigeria’s 21 registered political parties, only five currently possess the nationwide structures and operational depth required to field candidates across presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and state assembly elections.
They include the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The remaining 16 parties are reportedly grappling with weak grassroots structures, leadership crises, funding shortages, and unresolved legal disputes — factors that could limit their participation in a full-scale national contest.
APC Moves Early, Expands Influence
While several parties are still rebuilding from the aftermath of the 2023 elections, the APC appears to have shifted into early campaign mode.
An official of the party, who requested anonymity, pointed to a wave of defections that has reportedly increased the party’s tally to 29 governors, consolidating influence across more than two-thirds of the federation.
The party has also undertaken a nationwide electronic membership registration and revalidation exercise, reportedly enrolling over 10 million members into a digital database. In addition, it established The Progressive Institute (TPI), a policy and training hub aimed at strengthening internal capacity.
Party leaders have expressed satisfaction with the timetable, describing it as adequate for mobilisation and candidate emergence.
PDP Battles Internal Divisions but Projects Confidence
The PDP, once Nigeria’s dominant political force, continues to manage factional disputes and leadership tussles. Rival camps led by figures such as Kabiru Turaki and Abdulrahman Mohammed have issued separate assurances that internal litigations will be resolved before the primary window.
A spokesman for one faction, Ini Ememobong, said: “Whenever INEC is ready for the elections the PDP will be ready, provided that they can guarantee free, fair, credible elections.”
Another faction spokesman, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, added that all pending disputes were being diligently pursued and would be resolved ahead of primaries.
Senior party insiders insist the PDP remains indispensable in national politics.
“There cannot be an election in Nigeria without the PDP on the ballot,” one source said, expressing confidence that political negotiations would stabilise the party before nominations.
However, internal divisions continue to pose operational challenges, particularly regarding leadership recognition and candidate nomination processes.
Labour Party Reorganises Amid Leadership Dispute
The Labour Party is accelerating internal restructuring following months of leadership disputes. INEC’s recognition of Nenadi Usman as national chairman has triggered renewed membership drives and organisational audits.
Ken Asogwa, Special Adviser (Media) to Usman, stated: “The judgment of the Nigerian court is clear and unambiguous regarding the current leadership of the Party. The INEC has implemented this judgment by formally recognising Senator Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Labour Party, respectively.”
However, a rival faction loyal to Julius Abure insists a stay of execution preserves the status quo, maintaining that its leadership remains legitimate pending final court determination.
Meanwhile, the party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has indicated interest in the 2027 presidential race.
“Yes, I am a practising Muslim. But I’m a Nigerian, and the constitution allows me to contest… I’m doing this because Nigeria needs help,” he said.
ADC, NNPP, SDP Signal Readiness
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the timetable but urged INEC to provide clarity on real-time electronic transmission of results and safeguards for electoral transparency.
Its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, said credibility would depend not only on timeliness but on technological integrity and adherence to due process.
The NNPP, led by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, says it remains a growing national force and is open to strategic alliances ahead of 2027.
The SDP has also declared readiness, promising to present experienced candidates despite internal setbacks, including high-profile defections.
Sixteen Parties Face Structural Deficits
Beyond the five relatively established platforms, 16 parties — including APGA, AAC, ADP, Accord, AA, BP, NRM, PRP, YPP, ZLP, YP, DLA, NDC, APP and APM — are reportedly struggling with incomplete ward and state structures, leadership disputes, or limited regional reach.
For many, the INEC timetable has transformed readiness into a test of organisational survival.
A Race Against Time
With primaries scheduled for mid-2026 and campaigns beginning months later, parties must finalise structures, resolve litigations, raise funds, and recruit candidates within a narrow window.
The months ahead are likely to determine whether Nigeria’s 2027 general elections will feature broad competition or once again be dominated by a handful of structurally established political giants.
