ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Nigeria’s leading opposition parties have signalled their preparedness for the 2027 general elections following the publication of the election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission, while insisting that the polls must be credible and transparent.
The Peoples Democratic Party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the African Democratic Congress said they were ready to contest the elections but emphasised that the integrity of the process would determine the acceptance of the results.
INEC stated that presidential and National Assembly elections are slated for February 20, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls will hold on March 6, 2027.
Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly races are scheduled from November 18, 2026, to February 19, 2027, while those for governorship and state Assembly elections will run from December 15, 2026, to March 5, 2027, a day before voting.
Political parties are expected to hold their primaries between July 1 and September 30, 2026, and submit the names of their candidates between October 1 and October 31, 2026.
PDP declares readiness
The PDP National Caretaker Committee, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said the party was fully ready for the elections.
In a statement, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, called on members and aspirants to remain focused, assuring them that internal disagreements and ongoing litigations would be settled before the primaries.
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“The PDP is fully prepared to meet all constitutional and regulatory requirements within the stipulated timelines,” the statement read, reaffirming the party’s pledge to offer what it described as credible leadership in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee of the PDP also announced its readiness, contingent on INEC’s ability to guarantee free, fair and credible elections.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said, “Whenever INEC is ready for the elections, the PDP will be ready, provided it can guarantee free, fair and credible elections.”
NNPP faults election budget
The NNPP welcomed the timetable but urged INEC to use the period ahead to organise an election that would be acceptable to Nigerians and the international community.
Speaking in an interview the party’s spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, criticised the N873.778bn earmarked for the elections, describing the figure as excessive.
“What are they using that huge amount for? Are they building new mobile phone towers to transmit results? I don’t know what they budgeted N800bn for, but it sounds ridiculous,” he said.
ADC seeks real-time transmission
The ADC also endorsed the timetable but maintained that the credibility of the polls would hinge on transparent processes, especially the real-time electronic transmission of results.
In a statement, its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said although the early release of the timetable allows for better preparation, public trust would depend on INEC’s commitment to transparency and technological reliability.
He urged the commission to clarify its readiness to adopt real-time transmission should legal amendments be made and called on the National Assembly to address grey areas in the Electoral Act.
“Nigerians have shown, time and again, that they are ready to defend the sanctity of their votes. What is now required is for the electoral umpire to match that civic vigilance with institutional clarity, operational transparency and administrative excellence,” he said.
Punch