Fresh uncertainty has engulfed Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections as the deadline for submission of party membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) threatens the ambitions of several presidential, governorship and legislative aspirants across major political parties.
Political observers fear that unresolved leadership disputes, factional battles and controversial consensus arrangements within parties may deny many aspirants the opportunity to contest the elections.
The crisis cuts across the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the newly formed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), with many aspirants now stranded amid legal and procedural uncertainties.
Although the official deadline for the submission of electronic membership registers fell on Sunday, analysts argued that political parties could still submit the documents on Monday in line with the Interpretation Act, which allows official actions falling on non-working days to be completed on the next working day.
INEC had earlier extended the deadline to May 10, 2026, in compliance with Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which makes the submission of valid membership registers a mandatory condition for conducting party primaries and fielding candidates.
The Act stipulates that only registered party members captured in the submitted register can vote or be voted for during party primaries.
ADC Crisis Deepens Uncertainty
In the ADC, the unresolved leadership tussle has cast doubt on the fate of several high-profile aspirants, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen.
Although the Supreme Court recognised former Senate President David Mark as national chairman of the party, it returned the matter to the Federal High Court for further hearing following claims by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is also laying claim to the chairmanship position.
The situation worsened after INEC reportedly removed the names of Mark and members of his National Working Committee from its portal pending final judicial determination.
The uncertainty is believed to have influenced the decision of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to dump the ADC for the NDC, where both are expected to emerge as presidential candidate and running mate respectively.
However, Atiku and Amaechi have chosen to remain in the ADC despite concerns over whether the party would be able to conclude valid primaries before the May 30 deadline.
In Sokoto State, internal wrangling within the ADC is also threatening the aspirations of key politicians including former PDP governorship candidate Saidu Umar, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Dr. Shamsuddeen Aliyu Haido.
The crisis revolves around disputes over the control of the state party structure following the influx of defectors from rival parties.
PDP Factions Leave Aspirants Stranded
The PDP is equally battling a prolonged internal crisis that has produced parallel leadership factions and conflicting claims over legitimacy.
The faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is backing Abdulrahman Muhammed, while Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is supporting the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led camp.
Despite recent court judgments, both factions have continued to insist on their legitimacy and plans to conduct separate party activities, raising fears over the legality of any eventual candidates produced by the party.
Sources within the PDP said Governor Makinde is believed to be nursing presidential ambitions, with reports indicating that he had advised some loyalists to defect to alternative political platforms ahead of the membership register deadline.
The confusion has not stopped aspirants from obtaining nomination forms.
Former Cross River governorship candidate Senator Sandy Onor picked the PDP presidential nomination forms at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, while Benedict Etanabene also obtained forms to contest the Delta State governorship race.
Former Taraba State Governor Jolly Nyame and two ex-members of the House of Representatives from the state also recently defected from the APC to the PDP despite the unresolved crisis.
A PDP chieftain from Kaduna State, Abdulsalam Abubakar, warned that aspirants purchasing forms from any faction may be embarking on a “wild goose chase,” insisting that the party currently lacks a legally recognised structure capable of producing valid candidates.
APC Consensus Arrangements Spark Rebellion
Within the ruling APC, discontent is growing over alleged imposition of candidates by governors ahead of the general elections
Several aspirants across states have openly rejected consensus arrangements and are demanding transparent direct primaries.
In Yobe State, six governorship aspirants — Senator Ibrahim Bomai, former Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, Kashim Musa Tumsah, Bashir Sheriff Machina and Lawan Kolo Gaidam — rejected the emergence of an anointed candidate and insisted on direct primaries.
The development is seen as a direct challenge to Governor Mai Mala Buni’s political structure.
A similar situation is unfolding in Gombe State where Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s endorsement of former KEDCO Managing Director, Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, triggered protests from other aspirants including Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali, Professor Isa Ali Pantami and Dr. Maryam Saad Mustapha.
Former Governor Danjuma Goje also reportedly rejected the consensus arrangement for the senatorial seat, insisting on a competitive primary.
In Nasarawa State, six governorship aspirants defied Governor Abdullahi Sule by purchasing nomination forms despite his endorsement of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.
The aspirants include former Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, Professor Mohammed Sani Haruna, Barrister Hassan Liman (SAN), Zakka Ledkwi Yakubu, Tanimu Adamson and Hajiya Fatima Abdullahi.
Political analysts say the growing rebellion within the APC reflects widening frustration against imposed candidacies and could deepen internal divisions within the ruling party.
Anxiety in Kwara, Ogun, Rivers, Adamawa
In Kwara State, uncertainty surrounds over 15 governorship aspirants awaiting Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred choice.
Among those reportedly eyeing the APC ticket are Senator Saliu Mustapha, Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe and Professor Wale Sulieman.
In Ogun State, the adoption of Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) as consensus governorship candidate by APC leaders has reportedly intensified rivalry between Governor Dapo Abiodun and former Governor Gbenga Daniel.
Former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Tunji Isola, was notably absent from the meeting where the decision was taken.
Meanwhile, political tension continues to rise in Rivers State following the appearance of House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda before the APC governorship screening panel amid the ongoing rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
In Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s indication that he would unveil his preferred successor ahead of the governorship election has already unsettled party stakeholders and aspirants.
Analysts Cite Legal Window for Submission
Public affairs analyst Larry Edemanya argued that political parties may still validly submit their registers on Monday because the deadline fell on a Sunday.
Citing Section 18(2) of the Interpretation Act 2004, he explained that any official action scheduled for a public holiday or Sunday may lawfully be carried out on the next working day unless expressly stated otherwise by law.
As parties scramble to beat the clock, fears remain that unresolved legal disputes and internal crises could ultimately prevent many aspirants from contesting the 2027 elections, thereby reshaping the political landscape ahead of the polls.
