With just two days left before the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conclusion of party primaries, at least six political parties have confirmed their presidential candidates for the 2027 general election.
The parties that have completed their presidential primaries include the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Action Congress (AAC), and the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Naija News reports that President Bola Tinubu emerged as the APC presidential candidate, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar clinched the ADC ticket after defeating former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as well as banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, secured the PRP presidential ticket, while Prince Adewole Adebayo emerged as the SDP candidate.
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, won the AAC ticket, while Sandy Onor emerged as the candidate of the Wike-backed PDP faction.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is also expected to endorse the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as its flagbearer, as reports indicate he is the sole aspirant for the position.
There are also indications that other political parties, including the Accord Party and Allied Peoples Movement (APM), may conclude their processes before Saturday’s deadline.
INEC Deadline Approaches
INEC had fixed May 30, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to complete all primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
The primaries cover elections into the State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, governorship positions, and the presidency.
The process, which began on April 23, 2026, is expected to end on Saturday, May 30.
Political parties adopted different methods for the primaries, including direct voting, delegate systems, consensus arrangements, and affirmation processes.
However, the exercises have been marred by controversies, with several aspirants alleging vote manipulation, exclusion, imposition of candidates, and violations of the Electoral Act.
Some aggrieved aspirants have also dumped their parties in protest over the conduct of the primaries.
Atiku Wins ADC Presidential Primary
The ADC conducted one of the most closely watched presidential primaries, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerging victorious.
According to the party, 2,527,977 members participated in the exercise out of the 3,113,599 registered voters.
Official results showed that Atiku polled 1,846,370 votes, defeating Rotimi Amaechi, who secured 504,117 votes, while Hayatu-Deen finished third with 177,120 votes.
The primary attracted national attention due to the calibre of aspirants involved and ongoing opposition realignments ahead of 2027.
Amaechi campaigned on institutional reforms and internal party democracy, while Hayatu-Deen focused on economic restructuring, job creation, and private sector-driven growth.
Despite the outcome, some aspirants raised concerns over alleged irregularities during the exercise.
Reacting to the complaints, ADC chieftain Kola Ologbondiyan stated that dissatisfied aspirants could approach the party’s appeal committee.
“There is an appeal committee after the primary election. Those with complaints are expected to present their cases there. The party also has internal mechanisms to address disputes, and I believe the issues will be resolved soon,” he said.
Efforts to get a reaction from ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages at the time of filing the report.
Tinubu Secures APC Ticket
President Bola Tinubu emerged as the APC presidential candidate after securing 10.9 million votes in the party’s nationwide primaries.
Tinubu defeated his only challenger, Stanley Osifo, who polled 16,504 votes across 8,809 wards nationwide.
The exercise officially confirmed Tinubu as the ruling party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Osifo congratulated the President and expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the primary after Tinubu received his certificate of return.
Tinubu’s emergence was widely expected, given his strong backing from key APC leaders and party structures across the country.
Donald Duke Emerges PRP Candidate
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) announced former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, as its presidential flagbearer.
The result was declared at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja by National Chairman, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.
According to Baba-Ahmed, Duke secured 6,499 votes to defeat Kingsley Yakubu, who scored 2,699 votes, while Dr. Nnaoke Ufere came third with 784 votes.
The PRP chairman described the primary as transparent, credible, and free of bias, urging dissatisfied aspirants to follow the party’s appeal process.
Sowore Clinches AAC Ticket
Human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, also emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).
He was declared winner during the party’s primary held in Abuja.
Chairman of the AAC Primary Election Committee, Kayode Babayemi, said Sowore’s emergence reflected the party’s confidence in his commitment to justice, democracy, and good governance.
Accepting the nomination, Sowore described the AAC as Nigeria’s only genuine opposition party.
“This year, the AAC turns eight years old. As the only registered socialist party in Nigeria and indeed the only genuine opposition, we have remained a moral and ideological alternative to the criminal conspiracy disguised as democracy by other parties,” he said.
Sowore is expected to campaign on issues of anti-corruption, democratic reforms, activism, and social justice.
Adebayo Emerges SDP Candidate
Prince Adewole Adebayo emerged as the sole presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
He was endorsed by delegates from all 36 states and the FCT during the party’s national convention held at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Memorial Stadium in Bauchi.
In his acceptance speech, Adebayo said he joined the race to rescue Nigeria from worsening hardship.
“Nigerians are hungry and homeless. We are jobless. We are without peace. We are without leadership,” he stated.
Adebayo also flew the SDP flag during the 2023 presidential election.
Sandy Onor Named Candidate Of Wike-backed PDP Faction
Sandy Onor emerged as the presidential candidate of the PDP faction loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
His emergence comes amid deepening divisions within the PDP ahead of the 2027 election.
The party has experienced internal realignments in several states, with rival factions taking different positions on the presidential race.
Political observers believe the move could further complicate efforts to unite the PDP ahead of the polls.
Peter Obi Expected To Be Endorsed By NDC
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is expected to affirm Peter Obi as its presidential candidate before the INEC deadline.
Obi, who represented the Labour Party in the 2023 election, is reportedly the sole aspirant for the NDC ticket.
His expected endorsement is likely to attract significant attention from members of the Obidient Movement, who strongly backed his 2023 campaign.
Makinde Declares For Presidency On APM Platform
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Makinde made the announcement during a rally at Mapo Hall in Ibadan.
The declaration followed ongoing divisions within the PDP in Oyo State.
Earlier, Makinde and the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction in the state signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the APM as part of a strategic political alliance ahead of the elections.
Under the arrangement, candidates loyal to Makinde for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly positions are expected to contest under the APM platform.
Olawepo-Hashim Joins Accord Party
Former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has also moved to the Accord Party and declared his intention to run for president under the party’s platform.
He claimed that over one million supporters had already been mobilised into the Accord Party ahead of the 2027 election.
“We have quietly mobilised about one million supporters into the Accord Party, and the mobilisation is still ongoing,” he said.
Olawepo-Hashim also dismissed reports suggesting the Accord Party would not field a presidential candidate in 2027.
Fresh Defections Rock Political Parties
Naija News reports that the primaries have triggered fresh defections and protests among politicians accusing their parties of unfair treatment.
Among those reportedly leaving their parties over disputes arising from the primaries are former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami; former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; and former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege.
Their exits followed allegations of manipulation, exclusion, and violations of party rules and the Electoral Act.
Political analysts believe the developments could reshape alliances, negotiations, and coalition talks ahead of the 2027 election season.
With the INEC deadline fast approaching, political parties are now racing to conclude pending primaries, settle disputes, and submit candidates’ names for the general election.
The coming days are expected to determine the fate of aspirants awaiting affirmation in parties adopting consensus or sole-candidate arrangements.
Observers say the outcomes of the primaries are likely to shape the next phase of political negotiations, coalition building, and possible litigation ahead of the 2027 general elections.