Political parties across Nigeria have begun intensifying preparations for the 2027 general elections following the enactment of the 2026 Electoral Act and the release of a revised election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Under the timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections have been scheduled for January 16, 2027. The new law introduces significant changes to Nigeria’s electoral process, placing pressure on political parties to adjust their internal structures in order to meet strict compliance deadlines.

One of the key provisions of the law requires political parties to nominate candidates through direct primaries or consensus, effectively eliminating the delegate system that was previously common during party conventions. The Act also bars courts from halting electoral processes while legal disputes are pending. In addition, parties are now required to maintain a detailed digital register of their members, including personal information such as National Identification Numbers (NIN), which must be submitted to INEC at least 21 days before primaries, congresses, or conventions.

The new regulations have forced parties to accelerate administrative reforms and reorganise their internal processes ahead of the elections.

The Labour Party (LP) is currently working to strengthen its structures while addressing financial constraints. The party has launched a nationwide membership registration and revalidation exercise, although internal disagreements and limited funding have slowed some of its activities. Reports indicate that some officials have been personally financing party operations to keep activities running.

A former interim National Publicity Secretary of the party, Tony Akeni, recently expressed concern about the situation, revealing that he had been performing his duties in Abuja without financial backing from the party, apart from a small allowance for internet data. Nevertheless, LP leadership maintains that preparations are ongoing and says the party has already submitted the list of its State Working Committee members for 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory to INEC.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) says it is already well positioned to meet the new requirements. According to the party’s spokesperson, Mazi Ejimofor, APGA began electronic registration of members as early as June 2024, long before the Electoral Act was passed. However, the introduction of the NIN requirement has made it necessary for the party to update and revalidate its membership database.

Ejimofor also urged INEC to ensure that its guidelines align with the spirit of the Electoral Act and do not create unnecessary obstacles for smaller parties. While expressing confidence that APGA would comply with the deadlines, he declined to say whether the party would present a presidential candidate in the 2027 election.

Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has stepped up preparations by deploying a technology-driven membership database and strengthening grassroots funding. The party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, disclosed that the APC currently maintains a verified digital database of more than 10 million members linked to their National Identification Numbers.

He noted that the digital system allows the party to efficiently identify, mobilise, and communicate with its members while also ensuring credible primaries. As part of preparations for the 2027 election cycle, the APC has inaugurated a National Convention Planning Committee chaired by former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also expressed confidence in its readiness for the polls despite internal court disputes. The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Farida Umar, said the PDP had completed its congresses from ward to state levels and was fully prepared to challenge the ruling party in the next election.

She dismissed concerns that the party’s declining number of governors could weaken its financial capacity, insisting that political parties can survive without relying solely on governors for funding. The PDP also confirmed that it has commenced digital registration of its members in line with the requirements of the new Electoral Act.

However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over the feasibility of meeting the new requirements within the stipulated timeframe. The party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, argued that compiling a nationwide digital membership register within such a short period could place opposition parties at a disadvantage.

According to him, the process that took the ruling party more than a year to complete cannot realistically be accomplished by smaller parties within a month. He warned that the situation could undermine fairness in the political contest.

Despite these concerns, political parties are ramping up internal reforms, mobilisation efforts, and strategic planning as they work to meet INEC’s deadlines ahead of the 2027 general elections.