Next Year: INEC Online Platform Set to Serve as Initial Litmus Test for Political Parties' Preparedness

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File: INEC chairman Joash Amupitan

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…PDP confirms upload of presidential, NASS candidates as INEC extends nomination deadline to July 14

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…ADC, PRP report smooth exercise

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…Other parties battle procedural hurdles

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By Luminous Jannamike

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ABUJA — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has successfully uploaded the names of its presidential candidate, running mate and National Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Candidate Nomination Portal following the Commission’s decision to extend the nomination deadline to midnight on July 14.

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The extension gives political parties extra time to conclude outstanding submissions, particularly for governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates.

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Even so, the nomination process has already offered an early glimpse into how prepared the parties are for the 2027 general elections.

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The PDP is among the parties that have confirmed the submission of their presidential ticket and National Assembly candidates. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) have also reported smooth progress, while the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Accord Party have had a less straightforward experience.

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Speaking on Sunday, PDP National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, described the successful upload as another milestone in the party’s preparations for the 2027 polls.

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“I am pleased to inform all PDP members and Nigerians that our great Party, under my leadership, has successfully uploaded the names of our Presidential Candidate, his Running Mate, and our National Assembly candidates onto the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal,” Mohammed said.

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He said the party was continuing the upload of its governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates and was confident the remaining submissions would be completed before the new deadline.

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Mohammed added: “This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the promise we made that, under my leadership, the PDP will fully participate in the 2027 General Elections. Today, we have taken another decisive step towards fulfilling that promise.

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“As we await the conclusion of the upload of our Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates, I, on behalf of the National Working Committee, sincerely appreciate the dedication and hard work of all those who made this achievement possible.”

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Political parties began accessing the nomination portal after INEC issued login codes between June 26 and June 30 for the submission of presidential, vice-presidential and National Assembly candidates.

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Although the original deadline expired on July 11, the Commission has since extended the nomination window to midnight on July 14, giving parties more time to complete outstanding nominations.

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For the PDP, the upload marks another step in a process that has unfolded against the backdrop of months of factional disputes and rival leadership claims.

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Despite those challenges, the party secured access to the portal, finalised its candidates after National Executive Committee ratification and completed the upload without any publicly reported technical hitch.

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The ADC was among the earliest parties to complete the process, announcing the successful upload of the particulars of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi.

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The PRP likewise reported a smooth exercise. Its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Ishaq, told Vanguard the party had encountered no difficulty uploading its candidates’ particulars.

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Earlier, Ishaq had said he would first consult officials handling the nomination process before responding. He later forwarded the latest INEC circular issued on Sunday announcing the extension of the deadline and confirmed that the exercise had continued without any setback.

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“i believe everything has been proceeding smoothly so far,” he said.

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Not every party has had the same experience.

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As the initial deadline approached, sources in the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) spoke of uncertainty over access to nomination codes, raising concerns about completing submissions for some categories of candidates, including governorship aspirants.

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The Accord Party, meanwhile, adopted a more measured approach. Although it was among the parties granted access to the portal, ongoing internal consultations and its limited presidential ambitions appeared to slow the pace of its nominations.

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With the portal remaining open until midnight on July 14, parties still have time to complete outstanding submissions before INEC closes the nomination window.

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