Nigerian Parties Nominate 2027 Presidential Candidates Amid ADC Disputes

Major Nigerian political parties nominated their presidential candidates for the 2027 general election during the final week of May 2026. Bola Tinubu secured the All Progressives Congress ticket after defeating Stanley Osifo. The Peoples Democratic Party remains fractured, with the Nyesom Wike-backed faction nominating Senator Sandy Onor and the Tanimu Turaki-led faction ratifying former President Goodluck Jonathan. Other candidates include Peter Obi for the Nigeria Democratic Congress and Aliyu Bin Abbas for the Action Democratic Party.

Atiku Abubakar emerged as the candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with 1,846,370 votes, but the result sparked immediate conflict. Rivals Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen rejected the outcome, alleging widespread vote rigging and manipulation. Hayatu-Deen boycotted the official results announcement, citing observed irregularities.

To consolidate the party, Abubakar held a series of reconciliatory meetings, including a closed-door session with Hayatu-Deen in Lagos and a visit to Amaechi in Abuja. Following these discussions, Abubakar and Hayatu-Deen resolved to work together. On June 1, Hayatu-Deen formally announced he would not challenge the results in court, stating that the need for a united opposition outweighs individual ambition. Meanwhile, reports indicate Abubakar is considering former governor Emeka Ihedioha as a running mate from the South-East.