By Okoi Obono-Obla
Factional Battles and INEC’s Access Codes: A Test of Credibility
Today, 26 June 2026, marks a watershed in Nigeria’s electoral calendar as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hands over access codes to political parties. These codes will enable parties to upload the names, personal particulars, and accompanying documents of candidates nominated during their primary elections held in May 2026.
The distribution of access codes is particularly significant because it will reveal which factions of the fragmented parties—such as the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—INEC recognizes. Many of these parties conducted factional primaries, producing multiple candidates for the same positions.
For instance, the ADC currently parades three presidential candidates: Atiku Abubakar, Chris Uba, and Dumebi Kachikwu. The SDP has two factional presidential candidates: Prince Adewole Adebayo of the Prof. Sadiq Gombe-led faction, and Abimbola Atanda of the Shehu Gabam-led faction. The PDP also has several aspirants emerging from its factional primaries. This splintering of opposition parties demonstrates their internal disorder and raises questions about whether they can serve as credible alternative platforms to give the Nigerian electorate a broad spectrum of choices in the 2027 general elections.
It is clear that INEC will hand over the access codes to national officers, particularly the National Chairmen and National Secretaries of the respective parties. However, parties like the ADC and SDP have factional leaders occupying these positions, which complicates the process. As the day unfolds, anticipation builds, and by 27 June 2026, the political landscape will become clearer—revealing which factions INEC has chosen to recognize.
Conclusion:
This moment underscores the fragility of Nigeria’s opposition politics. The recognition of candidates by INEC will not only determine the immediate electoral lineup but also test the credibility and seriousness of these parties as viable alternatives in the democratic process. The outcome will shape the narrative of Nigeria’s political competition heading into 2027.
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