Opposition Parties Signal Readiness for 2027 Polls, Demand Credible Process
Nigeria’s leading opposition parties have declared their readiness for the 2027 general elections following the release of the timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission, while insisting that the credibility of the process must be guaranteed.
The Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party and African Democratic Congress said they were prepared to participate in the elections but stressed that transparency and fairness would determine public acceptance of the results.
INEC scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for 20 February 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls will take place on 6 March 2027. Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will run from 18 November 2026 to 19 February 2027, while governorship and state Assembly campaigns are set for 15 December 2026 to 5 March 2027. Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between 1 July and 30 September 2026, and submit candidates’ names between 1 and 31 October 2026.
A faction of the PDP’s National Caretaker Committee aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said the party was fully prepared and would meet all legal and constitutional requirements within the stipulated timeframe. It assured members that internal disputes would be resolved before the primaries.
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Separately, a PDP National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki also expressed readiness but maintained that the party’s participation depended on INEC’s ability to deliver free, fair and credible elections.
The NNPP welcomed the timetable but questioned the N873.778bn budget proposed for the elections. The party’s spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, described the figure as excessive and called for greater clarity on how the funds would be utilised.
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The ADC, in its reaction, emphasised the need for transparent procedures, particularly the real-time electronic transmission of results. Its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, urged INEC to clarify its preparedness to adopt real-time transmission if legal amendments are passed and called on the National Assembly to address ambiguities in the Electoral Act.
The parties agreed that while the early release of the timetable allows for adequate preparation, public trust in the 2027 elections will ultimately depend on the integrity and openness of the electoral process.