With the deadline for the conduct of party primaries fast approaching, major political parties have begun finalising their presidential candidates for the 2027 general election.
So far, six political parties have concluded their presidential primaries and produced candidates, while others are expected to complete the process before the May 30 deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Among those already confirmed are President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former Cross River State governor Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), and Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has also produced former Cross River governor Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is expected to ratify former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi as its flag bearer, as he remains the sole aspirant for the ticket.
There are also indications that the Accord Party may endorse Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde or businessman Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim ahead of the close of primaries.
INEC had directed political parties to conclude all primaries for presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
However, the process has been overshadowed by allegations of irregularities, manipulation and internal disputes in some parties, leading to dissatisfaction among aspirants and party stakeholders.
Among those reportedly unhappy with the conduct of some primaries are former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu, and former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege.
In the APC presidential primary conducted nationwide across 8,809 wards, President Tinubu secured 10.9 million votes to defeat his only challenger, Stanley Osifo, who polled 16,504 votes.
Osifo later congratulated the president and expressed satisfaction with the process after the announcement of the results.
The ADC primary also attracted national attention after Atiku defeated former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
According to the party, 2,527,977 members participated in the exercise out of over 3.1 million registered members.
Atiku emerged winner with 1,846,370 votes, while Amaechi scored 504,117 votes and Hayatu-Deen polled 177,120 votes.
The outcome of the ADC primary has, however, generated controversy following allegations of irregularities by some aspirants.
ADC chieftain Kola Ologbondiyan said aggrieved contestants could approach the party’s appeal committee to seek redress.
“There is an appeal committee after the primary election. Those with complaints are free to present their cases there,” he said.
Former Cross River governor Donald Duke also secured the presidential ticket of the Peoples Redemption Party after defeating Kingsley Yakubu and Nnaoke Ufere at the party’s primary in Abuja.
Announcing the result, PRP National Chairman, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said Duke polled 6,499 votes to emerge victorious.
The African Action Congress equally returned activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore as its presidential candidate during its convention in Abuja.
Sowore described the AAC as Nigeria’s “only genuine opposition party” and pledged to continue championing democratic reforms and social justice.
Similarly, the Social Democratic Party reaffirmed Adewole Adebayo as its standard bearer during its national convention in Bauchi.
Adebayo, while accepting the nomination, said his ambition was driven by the need to rescue Nigerians from hardship, unemployment and insecurity.
Meanwhile, political alliances and defections continue to reshape the opposition landscape ahead of the elections.
Governor Seyi Makinde recently declared his presidential ambition following a political understanding between his faction of the PDP in Oyo State and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Under the arrangement, loyalists of the governor are expected to contest the 2027 elections on the platform of the APM.
Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has also joined the Accord Party and announced plans to contest the presidency on the party’s platform.
The businessman claimed that over one million supporters had already been mobilised into the Accord Party as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.