Nigeria’s major political parties complete electronic submission of thousands of candidates as electoral commission extends deadline by three days
With just hours to spare before the final whistle, Nigeria’s political heavyweights—the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and New Democratic Congress (NDC)—have successfully uploaded their full candidate lists for the 2027 general elections onto the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.
The confirmation came Monday, as the clock ticked toward the extended deadline of Tuesday, August 11, 2026—a three-day reprieve granted by INEC following frantic appeals from parties scrambling to complete the marathon exercise.
APC Strikes First: “We Didn’t Wait Until the Last Minute”
The ruling APC stole the spotlight, completing its upload before the original August 8 deadline. National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, hailed the feat as proof of the party’s “organizational strength and readiness” for the upcoming electoral battle.
“We planned, coordinated our structures, and ensured our candidates were successfully uploaded before the expiration of the original deadline. This is what organisation, discipline, and responsible political leadership mean,” Yilwatda declared in a statement issued by his media aide, Abimbola Tooki.
The exercise covered thousands of candidates across all elective positions—from State Houses of Assembly to the presidency, spanning all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
PDP, SDP, NDC Join the Finish Line
The Wike-led faction of the PDP confirmed its upload was glitch-free, according to spokesperson Jungudo Haruna: “We have uploaded our candidates’ names. There were no glitches.”
Similarly, the NDC’s Osa Director and SDP’s Rufus Aiyenigba both confirmed their parties had crossed the finish line, with Aiyenigba stating simply: “We have submitted ours through the INEC portal.”
What This Means for 2027
With all major players now officially in the race, the stage is set for what promises to be a fiercely contested election. The early completion by the APC signals strategic confidence, while the PDP’s factional submission raises questions about internal unity and possible legal battles ahead.
INEC’s extension, though brief, may prove pivotal—offering last-minute breathing room for smaller parties and independent candidates still navigating the digital submission maze.
The countdown to 2027 has officially begun. The candidates are in. Now, the real fight starts.
