2027 Elections: How Nigerian Political Parties Are Moving to Meet INEC Rules

Nigeria’s major political parties have begun stepping up activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, as they move to align with the revised timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. 

The elections are now scheduled to hold between January 16 and February 6, 2027, pushing parties into an early phase of congresses, conventions, zoning decisions, and internal negotiations.

APC Moves to Project Order and Stability

The All Progressives Congress, APC, is already preparing for its national convention, fixed for March 27 and 28, 2026. Before that, the ruling party concluded its zonal congresses across the six geopolitical zones, where new leaders emerged mainly through consensus. 

In the South-West, Isaacs Kekemeke was returned as zonal chairman, while Victor Giadom emerged in the South-South, Ijeoma Arodiogbu in the South-East, Garba Babao in the North-West, and Idris Shuaibu in the North-East. 

The party said the consensus process followed the provisions of the new Electoral Act, which allows parties to nominate candidates through direct primaries or consensus.

Sanwo-Olu Signals APC Unity in the South-West

In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the South-West congress as proof of unity within the zone and a sign that the bloc remains politically strong. That message reflects APC’s effort to project stability as it heads into a crucial pre-election period.

PDP Struggles to Recover From Internal Crisis

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is approaching the same period from a weaker position. The party is still trying to recover from a Court of Appeal judgment that nullified a national congress held by one faction in Ibadan last year. The ruling deepened internal divisions, and the crisis was made worse by the reported defection of Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal to the APC.

Reconciliation Talks Begin as PDP Factions Jostle

In response, the faction led by Tanimu Turaki has opened talks with the bloc aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike in a bid to resolve the dispute. Turaki said both sides had started discussions and were exploring ways to reach a lasting settlement. 

At the same time, the Wike camp has fixed March 29 and 30 for its own national congress, just a day after the APC convention. Despite the tensions, both camps say reconciliation efforts are ongoing and that the PDP still intends to field candidates in the 2027 elections.

ADC Sets Dates for Congresses and Convention

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, is also putting its structure in place. At a recent National Executive Council meeting, the party approved a timetable for its congresses ahead of its national convention in Abuja on April 14, 2026. 

Ward congresses are scheduled for April 7, local government congresses for April 9, and state congresses for April 11. According to party spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, the convention will not be used to elect party officers or conduct primaries, but rather to ratify key decisions already taken by the party’s leadership.

Labour Party Regroups After Leadership Dispute

The Labour Party is also making fresh moves after a Federal High Court in Abuja resolved its leadership crisis. That internal struggle had weakened the party and contributed to the exit of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who has since joined the ADC. 

Several elected Labour Party officials also reportedly moved to the APC, including Senators Ireti Kingibe, Victor Umeh, and Tony Nwoye. Even so, the party still retains Abia State Governor Alex Otti and some lawmakers from the state.

Southern Zoning Emerges as Labour Party Strategy

Under the leadership of former minister Nenadi Usman, who is recognised by the court, the Labour Party says it is preparing seriously for the election. One of its biggest early decisions is to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria. 

Usman said the party will not field any northern aspirant and that the eventual candidate will emerge through the primaries. The party had earlier scheduled its national convention for March 26, but later postponed it to allow more members to take part in its online membership re-registration exercise.

APGA Throws Its Weight Behind Tinubu

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has made its position on the next presidential race clear. The party’s national chairman, Sly Ezeokenwa, said APGA has adopted President Bola Tinubu as its candidate for 2027. 

That position is in line with earlier comments by Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who had also indicated that the party would support the sitting president. Ezeokenwa said the party sees itself as ideologically aligned not only with the APC, but also with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.