INEC Grants APC, PDP, ADC, NDC, Others Access Codes to Upload Candidates for 2027 Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has granted access codes to nine political parties to enable them upload the names of their candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The parties include the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), among others.

The candidates to be uploaded are expected to contest for the offices of President, Senate, House of Representatives and governorship seats across the federation, with the exception of Kogi State and Osun State, which operate off-cycle governorship elections.

A senior official of the commission, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Monday, confirmed that the NDC was among the political parties granted access to the nomination portal, dismissing reports that the party had been denied the required credentials.

“It is misinformation to suggest that the NDC was denied access code to upload its candidates to the INEC portal,” the official said.

“The commission has no reason whatsoever to deny any registered political party access to the platform. I can confirm on good authority that the NDC was among the parties that received their access codes to upload the names of their candidates.”

The clarification follows recent claims by officials of the NDC, which has been involved in legal proceedings over moves seeking the party’s deregistration.

According to media reports, an NDC official, identified as Osa Director, had alleged that the party approached INEC to obtain the access code but was informed that the commission would respond at a later time.

“We approached INEC to collect the access code to upload the names of our candidates to the INEC portal. They told us that they would get back to us,” he was quoted as saying, while maintaining that any delay in the submission process should not be attributed to the party.

However, the electoral commission maintained that all eligible political parties were being treated fairly and transparently in line with established guidelines and the electoral timetable.

The INEC source added that additional parties were expected to receive their access credentials before the close of business on Monday, ensuring that all registered parties have adequate opportunity to submit the names of their candidates within the stipulated deadlines.

The development marks a critical stage in preparations for the 2027 general elections, as political parties intensify internal processes to finalise candidates for presidential, National Assembly and governorship contests across the country.

INEC has consistently urged political parties to adhere strictly to the timetable for candidate nominations and to conduct their activities in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Nigerian Constitution.