Opposition Faces Fresh Uncertainty as INEC Candidate Submission Deadline Expires

Opposition Faces Fresh Uncertainty as INEC Candidate Submission Deadline Expires

Fresh uncertainty has gripped Nigeria’s opposition parties as the deadline for submitting candidates for the 2027 general election expires, with lingering leadership disputes, court battles and rival claims threatening to complicate preparations for the polls.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had extended the deadline for political parties to upload the names of their presidential, National Assembly and other candidates to Tuesday after several parties reported technical challenges with the nomination process.

However, attention shifted to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following a Court of Appeal judgment that upheld an earlier Federal High Court order restraining INEC from recognising submissions from the party’s National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark.

The appellate court also ruled that the caretaker leadership lacked the constitutional authority to conduct state congresses or organise the party’s national convention, affirming that such powers rest with the duly elected state executives.

The court further declared the congresses conducted under the caretaker committee invalid and awarded costs against the party.

Despite the ruling, the ADC insisted its participation in the 2027 election remains unaffected.

The party argued that the judgment concerns only its internal leadership structure and state congresses, not the direct primaries through which its candidates for elective offices emerged.

It disclosed that it has already approached the Supreme Court to challenge the decision.

The party also dismissed reports that another faction had uploaded candidates’ names to the INEC nomination portal, describing the claims as false and alleging that documents purportedly issued by the electoral commission had been forged.

It urged INEC to investigate the matter and prevent attempts to create confusion over the party’s leadership.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also appealed to party members and supporters to remain calm, insisting that the Court of Appeal did not nullify the ADC’s primary elections.

He maintained that the judgment dealt strictly with internal party administration and not the nomination of candidates for the 2027 polls, expressing confidence that the Supreme Court would provide clarity on the matter.

Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said it had resolved its leadership dispute and would use the extension granted by INEC to regularise the upload of its candidates after completing the nomination process.

Political observers and stakeholders have expressed concern that the growing number of legal disputes involving opposition parties could cast a shadow over the credibility of the 2027 general election.

Some critics accused INEC of creating uncertainty through its handling of factional disputes, particularly within the ADC, warning that inconsistent recognition of party leadership could undermine confidence in the electoral process.

Others urged the judiciary to ensure that its decisions strengthen rather than weaken Nigeria’s democracy, arguing that voters should ultimately determine the country’s political future at the ballot box.

With the submission window now closed, attention is expected to shift to the courts as several opposition parties seek judicial clarity over leadership disputes that could shape the contest for the 2027 general election.