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The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared that all political party primaries conducted after the officially approved May 30 deadline for the 2027 general elections are invalid and will not be recognised. The electoral body said political parties were duly informed of the timetable and schedule of activities and must strictly comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines governing candidate nominations.
INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu stated that the commission had consistently reminded political parties about the closing date for primaries and that any exercise held outside the stipulated period could not be accepted. According to him, the commission deployed monitoring teams across the country to observe party primaries and maintain the integrity of the electoral process. Yakubu stressed that adherence to timelines was essential to allow enough time for candidate verification, resolution of disputes, and preparation for the 2027 elections.
The announcement is expected to affect several political parties that postponed or rescheduled their primaries due to internal disagreements, litigation, and logistical challenges. In recent weeks, a number of parties have been involved in disputes over delegate lists, consensus arrangements, and court orders that delayed their nomination processes. Legal experts noted that affected aspirants and parties may seek judicial interpretation of INEC’s position, particularly if they believe exceptional circumstances prevented them from meeting the deadline.
The development comes as political activities continue to intensify across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties finalising candidates for presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly contests. Analysts believe INEC’s firm stance is intended to reinforce discipline within the political system and reduce the number of pre-election legal battles that have often disrupted electoral preparations in previous election cycles. The commission has also urged political parties to ensure that all subsequent nomination procedures and submissions comply fully with electoral laws to avoid disqualification.
