The close of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) candidate nomination portal for the 2027 general election has triggered fresh political disputes, with parties divided over compliance, legal battles, requests for extensions and accusations of misinformation.
While the Accord Party appealed for additional time to conclude its internal disputes, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) rejected reports suggesting they failed to submit their presidential tickets before the deadline. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on its part, dismissed allegations that it was using the courts and INEC to weaken opposition parties.
The expiration of the nomination window also coincided with the Federal High Court’s release of amended Practice Directions designed to fast-track the resolution of pre-election disputes.
An Accord Party official, who requested anonymity, said the party wanted INEC to extend the nomination period to allow its presidential aspirant, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, conclude his legal challenge against the party leadership.
According to the source, disagreements over the party’s presidential ticket followed political developments surrounding Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s reported support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Speaking separately on Arise Television, Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo disclosed that technical issues briefly delayed the upload of the party’s candidates but said the problem was resolved within the extension earlier granted by INEC.
The SDP National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, confirmed that the party successfully completed the upload of all its candidates before the deadline and commended the electoral commission for granting what he described as a reasonable extension.
Similarly, African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party had completed its submission and had no reason to seek additional time.
Responding to claims that the APC was using state institutions against opposition parties, Agunloye argued that many of the crises confronting opposition parties were self-inflicted.
INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, said the commission had not considered granting any further extension.
“I have no information on any additional extension because the Commission has not taken such a decision,” she said.
The PDP dismissed reports alleging that it failed to upload its presidential and vice-presidential candidates before the deadline.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the party said it uploaded the names and particulars of its presidential ticket at **11:50 a.m. on July 10**, well before the July 14 deadline.
Describing contrary reports as false and misleading, the PDP insisted it complied fully with INEC’s timetable.
The Labour Party issued a similar rebuttal, maintaining that it successfully uploaded the names of its presidential, vice-presidential and National Assembly candidates on **July 10**, four days before the portal closed.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, accused those behind the reports of spreading misinformation intended to create confusion and undermine public confidence in the party.
The LP urged Nigerians to rely on INEC’s official publication of nominated candidates rather than anonymous claims.
APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, dismissed accusations that President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party were manipulating the judiciary or INEC to destabilise opposition parties.
Speaking through his media aide, Mr. Toiki, Yilwatda said the APC successfully uploaded all **471 candidates** before the deadline and argued that opposition parties should take responsibility for their internal disagreements.
He also rejected suggestions that the APC influenced court decisions, insisting that many opposition crises stemmed from leadership struggles within the affected parties.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja reserved judgment in a suit filed by Accord Party chieftain, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, seeking recognition as the party’s presidential candidate.
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed no date for judgment after parties adopted their final written submissions.
Olawepo-Hashim is asking the court to compel the Accord Party to submit his name to INEC, arguing that he emerged as the valid winner of the party’s May 30 presidential primary.
The Accord Party and INEC, however, maintained that the primary election had been cancelled, urging the court to dismiss the suit.
The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress intensified as the party’s Abia State Chairman, Don Norman Obinna, welcomed the Appeal Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership and questioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s reported move to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court.
Obinna described the judgment as a victory for internal democracy and expressed confidence that INEC would comply with the court’s decision.
He also accused the party’s national leadership of sidelining state executives and excluding grassroots members from major decisions.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said its decision not to field a presidential candidate was deliberate and followed its endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, said the endorsement did not affect the party’s participation in legislative elections, noting that APGA had successfully submitted candidates for the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
The Federal High Court announced amendments to its **Pre-Election Practice Directions 2026**, saying the changes are intended to ensure faster and more efficient handling of election-related disputes in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The amendments, approved by Chief Judge Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, took effect immediately.
Also yesterday, Managing Partner of SBM Intelligence, Ikemesit Effiong, warned that low voter turnout could ultimately favour incumbent governments.
Speaking on Channels Television, Effiong said while President Tinubu’s approval ratings may trail those of some rivals, reduced voter participation historically benefits incumbents.
He, however, noted that the organisation’s latest research indicates many eligible voters intend to participate in the 2027 general election, suggesting the eventual turnout could significantly influence the outcome.
