Countdown to 2027: Parties Gear Up for Presidential Primaries

Countdown to 2027: Parties Gear Up for Presidential Primaries:

INEC Sets Election Date
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed 20 February 2027 as the date for the presidential election. With less than a year to go, political parties are expected to intensify preparations for their primary elections to nominate presidential candidates.

APC’s Strategy
The All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to be ahead of other parties. It has already granted the right of first refusal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who remains unchallenged for the party’s presidential ticket. This effectively positions him as the APC’s flag bearer for the 2027 election.

Opposition Parties Face Deadlines
Meanwhile, the ADC, Labour Party, PDP, and other political parties intending to contest the election have until July 2026 to nominate their candidates.

ADC’s Internal Crisis
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing a particularly complex situation. More than four aspirants are vying for its presidential nomination, but the party is currently embroiled in legal disputes. Multiple factions are claiming legitimacy, raising questions about which group has the authority to conduct the primary election that will produce the party’s flag bearer.

Zoning Controversy Within ADC
Beyond the legal battles, a storm is brewing within the ADC over the zoning of its presidential ticket. One of its leading members and presidential aspirant, Rt. Honourable Rotimi Amaechi, has argued that zoning the ticket to the Southern region would improve the party’s electoral prospects. In sharp contrast, another top member and presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, has opposed the idea, insisting that zoning is not supported by the party’s constitution.

Conclusion
With internal disputes over factional legitimacy and heated disagreements on zoning, the ADC faces significant hurdles in presenting a united front. Whether the party can resolve these knotty issues in time to field a credible candidate remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the APC’s early consolidation around President Tinubu underscores the contrasting fortunes of Nigeria’s major political parties as the countdown to 2027 intensifies.

@ Okoi Obono-Obla