Opposition in Disarray as INEC Closes Nomination Portal
Nigeria’s opposition parties are facing renewed uncertainty ahead of the 2027 general election following a series of court rulings and unresolved leadership disputes that coincided with the close of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) candidate nomination window.
Although INEC extended the deadline for political parties to upload the names of their candidates after complaints of technical difficulties, the final hours of the exercise were overshadowed by legal battles involving several opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The biggest setback came after the Court of Appeal upheld an earlier judgment restraining INEC from accepting submissions from the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC.
The court also ruled that the caretaker committee lacked the authority to conduct the party’s state congresses and national convention, declaring the exercises invalid.
The judgment has intensified uncertainty within the opposition coalition, even as the ADC insists its candidates remain unaffected.
According to the party, the ruling relates only to its internal leadership structure and does not invalidate the direct primaries that produced its candidates for the 2027 elections.
The ADC said it has already approached the Supreme Court to challenge the appellate court’s decision, expressing confidence that the apex court will overturn the judgment.
It also rejected claims that another faction had uploaded candidates to the INEC portal, alleging that documents purportedly issued by the electoral commission were forged.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also dismissed reports suggesting the court had nullified the ADC’s primaries, urging party members and supporters not to be distracted by what he described as attempts to create confusion within the opposition.
Elsewhere, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) announced that it had resolved its internal leadership crisis and was using the extended deadline to complete the regularisation of its candidates on the INEC portal.
Political analysts and civil society stakeholders have warned that the growing wave of litigation involving opposition parties could erode public confidence in the electoral process if not resolved quickly.
Some also criticised INEC’s handling of party leadership disputes, arguing that the commission must remain impartial and transparent to avoid allegations of favouritism as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
With the nomination process now concluded, attention is expected to shift to the courts, where several pending cases could determine the final list of candidates and significantly influence the shape of the presidential race.
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