BY GODWIN OBI
Nigeria’s major opposition parties have reacted to the release of the 2027 general election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission, expressing readiness to participate while calling for credible and transparent polls.
INEC scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027. Governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will follow on March 6, 2027.
Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will run from November 18, 2026, to February 19, 2027. Campaigns for governorship and state Assembly elections will begin on December 15, 2026, and end on March 5, 2027.
Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between July 1 and September 30, 2026, and submit candidates’ lists between October 1 and October 31, 2026.
The Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, and African Democratic Congress said they were prepared for the elections but stressed that the integrity of the process would determine public acceptance of the results.
The PDP, in separate reactions from its leadership factions, affirmed readiness for the polls and pledged to meet all constitutional and regulatory requirements within the stipulated timelines. Party officials also expressed confidence that internal disputes would be resolved before the primaries.
The NNPP welcomed the timetable but raised concerns about the projected cost of the elections, urging the commission to ensure prudent use of public funds while delivering a process that meets national and international standards.
The ADC commended the early release of the schedule, noting that it provides clarity for planning. The party, however, emphasised the need for transparent procedures, particularly the real-time electronic transmission of results, and urged electoral authorities to strengthen public confidence through operational transparency.
Across their reactions, opposition parties underscored the importance of free, fair, and credible elections, maintaining that the legitimacy of the 2027 polls would rest on the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
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