By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Political parties across Nigeria heightened preparations on Friday as they raced against the clock to meet the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The atmosphere at several national secretariats in Abuja and across the states was charged with consultations, screenings, strategic meetings and political realignments as parties worked to beat the deadline for the submission of membership registers to the electoral umpire, scheduled for midnight of May 10, 2026.
The development comes amid increasing political maneuvering, coalition talks and cross-party defections that have continued to reshape the nation’s political landscape ahead of the elections.
One of the major talking points in recent days has been the growing influence of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, which reportedly received three serving senators and 18 members of the House of Representatives from rival political parties in what observers described as one of the earliest signs of shifting alliances before the polls.
The ruling All Progressives Congress has already moved swiftly to align with the INEC timetable. The party concluded the sale of nomination forms on May 6 and closed the collection of forms on May 7 before commencing screening exercises for aspirants on Friday.
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According to the party’s schedule, screening of aspirants will continue until Tuesday, May 12, while the publication of successful aspirants is expected on Wednesday, May 13.
Political analysts believe the early commencement of APC’s internal processes is aimed at preventing disputes and litigations that affected some parties during previous elections.
Similarly, the Social Democratic Party and the Nigeria Democratic Congress are scheduled to hold their national conventions today, with the SDP gathering taking place in Bauchi while the NDC convention is expected in Abuja.
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The Labour Party also unveiled a revised timetable for its activities. Under the schedule, sale of nomination forms for all elective positions began on May 6 and will end on May 16, while submission of completed forms is fixed for May 17 and 18.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the party disclosed that screening exercises for governorship and House of Assembly aspirants would hold on May 20, while National Assembly and presidential aspirants are expected to appear before screening panels on May 22.
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Publication of screening results is expected on May 23, while appeals and petitions arising from the exercise would be entertained between May 24 and May 25. The final list of cleared aspirants is scheduled for release on May 26.
Labour Party primaries for governorship and House of Assembly aspirants are billed for May 27, while National Assembly and presidential primaries are slated for May 29.
In a move that has generated public debate, the BOOT Party announced a new “Trust Before Ticket” framework alongside the sale of nomination forms for aspirants.
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The National Chairman of the party, Sunny Adenuga, disclosed that the presidential expression of interest form would cost N5 million, while aspirants seeking the party’s presidential ticket under the “Trust Before Ticket” arrangement are expected to provide a N500 million trust fund commitment.
Adenuga explained that the initiative was designed to promote accountability, transparency and integrity in leadership recruitment.
According to him, the trust fund would not be paid directly into the party’s account but kept in a managed bank arrangement to support campaign activities for eventual candidates.
He said unsuccessful aspirants would receive refunds after the primaries, while funds belonging to successful candidates would be deployed strictly for electioneering campaigns.
The party also announced fees for other elective offices, including governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly positions.
Meanwhile, internal disagreements continue to affect preparations within the Peoples Democratic Party as rival blocs loyal to different party leaders continue to battle for control of party structures in some states.
The crisis, involving camps reportedly aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, has led to conflicting positions over certain party activities and schedules.
Despite the divisions, the PDP timetable indicates that sale of nomination forms will end on May 13, while submission of completed forms is expected on May 14.
Screening of aspirants is scheduled for May 15 to May 18, with appeals fixed for May 21 and publication of cleared aspirants on May 22.
The party plans to conduct ward primaries on May 27 before holding its National Executive Committee meeting on May 29 and a special convention on May 30 for ratification of candidates.
For the African Democratic Congress, sale of nomination forms runs from May 5 to May 10, while submission of forms is expected between May 11 and May 13.
Screening exercises are scheduled for May 14 and 15, with publication of results fixed for May 17 and appeals slated for May 18 and 19.
The ADC will conduct National Assembly and State Assembly primaries on May 21, governorship primaries on May 22 and presidential primaries on May 25 before its National Executive Committee meeting and special national convention on May 26 and May 27 respectively.
The Peoples Redemption Party also announced May 24, 2026, for its presidential primary as the party continues membership revalidation and restructuring efforts following INEC’s recognition of the leadership of Hakeem Baba-Ahmed earlier this year.
Likewise, the Accord Party fixed May 21 for its presidential primary.
With barely months to the commencement of full-scale campaigns, observers say the flurry of activities within the political parties reflects the growing intensity of preparations for what is expected to be another fiercely contested election cycle in Nigeria.
Many Nigerians are also closely watching the internal democratic processes of the parties, especially the conduct of primaries, amid recurring concerns over imposition of candidates, defections and pre-election litigations that have historically shaped the country’s electoral outcomes.
