Nigerian Parties Dispute Missing INEC Election Nomination Deadlines

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) closed its nomination portal for the 2027 general elections at 11:59 p.m. on July 14, 2026, following a brief extension from July 11. While most registered parties complied, reports initially suggested that the Labour Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) failed to submit presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Both the Labour Party and the PDP strongly rejected these claims. The PDP confirmed it uploaded the particulars of presidential candidate Senator Sandy Onor Ojang and vice-presidential candidate Umar Babangida at 11:50 a.m. on July 10. Similarly, the Labour Party asserted it uploaded the names of presidential candidate Chibuzo Okereke and vice-presidential candidate Bintu Konto on July 10, four days before the portal closed. Labour Party officials described the reports as "patently false" and attributed them to an anonymous INEC source.

In contrast, APGA confirmed it did not upload a presidential candidate. The party's National Executive Committee decided to formally endorse President Bola Tinubu for a second term, stating the move is in the national interest. APGA continues to participate in the elections by fielding candidates for the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. Other parties, including the APC and NDC, successfully uploaded candidates, though some internal leadership disputes persist within the African Democratic Congress and Accord Party.