INEC Closes Portal as Three Parties Miss Candidate Deadline

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has closed its portal for political parties to submit their presidential candidates for the 2027 general elections. Three parties, specifically the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Nyesom Wike, the Labour Party (LP) faction led by Nenadi Usman, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), failed to upload their candidates' names before the deadline.

INEC had previously extended the deadline to July 14, 2026, following requests from political parties. Despite this extension, the mentioned parties did not meet the requirements, while others like the APC successfully submitted Bola Ahmed Tinubu as their presidential candidate and Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

The ADC also submitted Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi. Confusion arose regarding the submission of candidates for the National Assembly, particularly due to a court appeal affecting the ADC's leadership recognition by INEC.

The portal remains unchanged despite ongoing leadership disputes within the ADC.