By Okoi Obono-Obla
On 25 April 2026, a national summit of some political parties in Nigeria was held in Ibadan, Oyo State. At the end of deliberations, a resolution was reached that two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) would present a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
In light of this, I will critically examine certain provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 to ascertain whether such a possibility—multiple political parties jointly presenting a single presidential candidate—is legally tenable.
Under the Electoral Act 2026, Nigerian law does not permit two or more political parties to jointly nominate a single candidate for any elective office. Each candidate must be nominated exclusively by one political party, and multiple or “joint” nominations are expressly prohibited.
Key Provisions in the Electoral Act 2026:
Section 29 – Submission of Candidates:
Political parties are required to submit a list of their candidates and affidavits to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Only one party can nominate a candidate.
-Section 30 – Prohibition of Double Nomination:
A candidate cannot be nominated by more than one political party. If this occurs, the nomination is invalid.
-Section 35 – Invalidity of Multiple Nomination:
Any candidate nominated by two or more parties is automatically disqualified. This provision closes the door on “joint candidacy” or coalition nominations.
-Sections 84–88 – Party Primaries:
The Act recognizes only direct primaries and consensus as valid methods of nomination. Both are strictly internal party processes, meaning candidates must emerge from within a single party structure.
Implications:
Coalitions limited to endorsements:
Parties may form alliances or endorse another party’s candidate, but they cannot legally submit the same candidate to INEC.
Ballot clarity:
Each candidate’s name appears under one party’s logo. Allowing joint nominations would create confusion on ballot papers, which the Act seeks to avoid.
Legal enforcement:
INEC monitors compliance, and the Federal High Court has jurisdiction over disputes. Any attempt at dual-party nomination would be struck down.
Conclusion:
While political coalitions and alliances remain possible in Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2026 makes it clear that joint nominations are not legally permissible. Parties may endorse one another’s candidates, but the law requires that every presidential candidate be nominated by a single political party. Thus, the resolution reached at the Ibadan summit can only translate into practical effect if the coalition agrees to rally behind a candidate formally nominated by one party, rather than attempting a joint submission to INEC.
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