INEC Unveils Party Primary Timetable Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a detailed timetable for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, setting May 2026 as the main window for most parties to conduct nomination exercises for all elective offices.

In an official notice, INEC informed its Resident Electoral Commissioners nationwide that primaries for the presidency, governorships, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly must be held within the approved timeframe and in strict compliance with electoral laws and guidelines.

According to the political parties’ schedules compiled by INEC, most primaries will take place between mid-May and the end of May 2026, while a few parties will begin earlier in April.

The timetable shows that major political parties have spread their activities across different dates within the window.

For instance, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has slated its presidential primary for Saturday, May 23, 2026, while its governorship and legislative primaries will be held between May 15 and May 21.

Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed its presidential primary for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, with other contests scheduled between May 17 and May 24.

The Labour Party (LP) will conduct its presidential primary on Friday, May 29, 2026, alongside other key legislative primaries within the same week.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has aligned all its primaries for May 29, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) will begin its exercises earlier, with presidential primaries holding on May 28 and others starting from May 23.

Emerging parties have also released their schedules. The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) will hold its presidential primary from May 29 to May 30, while primaries for other positions are set for May 28.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has fixed its presidential primary for May 25, with other contests held between May 21 and May 22.

Notably, the African Action Congress (AAC) is among the earliest to conclude its process, with primaries scheduled between April 21 and April 23 and a presidential primary on April 26.

In contrast, parties such as the Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Accord Party have fixed their presidential primaries for May 30, placing them among the last to conclude the process.

Other parties, including the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Boot Party (BP), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), National Democratic Party (NDP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), have largely concentrated their primaries between May 25 and May 29, indicating a tight and competitive window across the political landscape.

INEC, in its directive, instructed Resident Electoral Commissioners to make necessary arrangements for monitoring the exercises in their respective states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The Commission stressed that all activities must comply with the Electoral Act 2026, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and its regulations and guidelines.

The Commission added that although the timetable is based on parties’ submissions, it may be adjusted if necessary. This means the schedule could still change as parties finalise internal arrangements or respond to new political developments.

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