NEWS
2027: INEC Names APGA, Youth Party, Accord Among Parties Without Presidential Candidates
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that three registered political parties—the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Youth Party and Accord Party, did not nominate presidential candidates for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the disclosure on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, during the commission’s World Press Conference and National Stakeholders Forum on preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The disclosure comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the elections and reviews issues arising from the nomination of candidates, including fresh complaints linked to a recent Supreme Court judgment.
According to the commission, 22 political parties are currently recognised, with 18 of them initially submitting presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
INEC said Accord, APGA and the Youth Party did not nominate presidential candidates, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) withdrew its presidential nomination during the substitution window.
Amupitan also provided an update on candidates nominated for the National Assembly, governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, outlining the various stages through which the commission had processed and published candidate information.
According to Amupitan:
“18 out of the 22 registered political parties, presidential/vice presidential political candidates, Accord, APGA, Youth Party nominated no presidential candidate.
“While the New Nigeria Peoples Party withdrew its presidential nomination during the substitution window.
“From the National Assembly, 21 of the 22 political parties sponsored 313 candidates for the Senate and 3547 candidates for the House of Representatives.
“Personal particulars were published on August 1, 2026, and the final list of candidates was published on September 12, 2026, subject to the court orders.
“21 out of the 22 political parties nominated 936 governorship to deputy governorship candidates and 9692 state House of Assembly candidates. Personal particulars were published on August 29, 2026, with the final day set for publication on October 10, 2026.
“The complaints arising from the nomination process include unlawful withdrawal and substitution of candidates, typographical errors and other legal issues relating to nominations.
“All 112 former complaints received from aspirants, candidates, and parties regarding the nomination period were investigated and resolved except those pending in court.
“However, we have recently received complaints from some political parties and even from the National Assembly drawing our attention to the recent Supreme Court decision in INEC and Zenith Labour Party delivered on September 21, 2026 affirming the constitutionality of Section 77 sub sec 5-7 of the Electoral Act 2026 and also holding our revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.”
The statement places candidate nominations and the legal status of the electoral timetable among the major issues currently engaging the commission as the 2027 elections approach.
However, developments surrounding Accord Party have added another legal dimension to the situation.
On Monday, October 5, 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered Accord Party to recognise Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate and directed the party to forward his name to INEC for uploading and recognition. The court held that evidence before it established that Olawepo-Hashim emerged from the party’s May 30 presidential primary.
The development means that the status of presidential nominations remains subject to court orders and further actions by the affected political parties and INEC.
Amupitan’s reference to candidate lists being published subject to court orders therefore remains significant as litigation continues to intersect with the electoral process.
INEC’s official register currently lists 22 recognised political parties, including Accord, APGA and Youth Party.
The commission’s latest briefing also highlights the scale of preparations for the 2027 polls, with candidate nomination, publication of final lists, litigation and compliance with the Electoral Act forming key components of the process.
With further legal challenges capable of affecting candidate lists and electoral arrangements, INEC is expected to continue reviewing relevant court decisions and engaging political parties, the National Assembly and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.