Political parties are in a frantic race against time as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fast approaches its July 11, 2026 deadline for the submission of presidential and National Assembly nomination forms.
The commission’s online portal will close strictly at 6:00 p.m., concluding an exercise that began on June 27 for Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E, pursuant to Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Following this initial window, INEC has scheduled the submission for governorship and state Houses of Assembly candidates to commence on July 18 and conclude on August 8, 2026.
According to the official timetable, the personal particulars of the presidential and National Assembly hopefuls will be published on August 1, followed by state-level candidates on August 29.
Amidst the tight schedule, major political alignments have rapidly taken shape, with several frontrunners locking in their tickets.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, flying the flag of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has officially unveiled former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate, a move confirmed by ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi.
Concurrently, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, announced former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his vice-presidential pick.
NDC National Leader, Seriake Dickson, confirmed that both names have already been successfully uploaded to the INEC portal, solidifying their joint ticket ahead of the looming deadline.
In contrast, President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—who secured his ticket in a landslide victory with nearly 11 million votes against challenger Stanley Osifo last May—has yet to formally announce his running mate.
Speculation strongly suggests he will retain Vice President Kashim Shettima, a decision that would reaffirm the party’s 2023 winning formula and quieten rumors of a strained alliance.
This strain became evident last year when an APC North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe State devolved into chaos after supporters of the Vice President allegedly attacked the zonal vice chairman over a communiqué that conspicuously omitted Shettima’s name while endorsing Tinubu’s second-term bid.
Aside from Tinubu, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Sandy Onor remains the only other major presidential candidate yet to unveil a running mate.
However, the PDP is making significant strides with its legislative candidates, having already uploaded approximately 60 percent of its National Assembly nominees.
PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, disclosed that while 169 entries out of 100 senatorial and 360 House of Representatives slots remain pending due to late document submissions, the daily upload process is moving smoothly and is expected to be fully concluded by Wednesday.
To navigate the current pressure, the APC is widely expected to deploy a “placeholder” strategy for its vice-presidential slot before the July 11 cutoff.
Under INEC rules, political parties have until August 22 to withdraw and substitute presidential and National Assembly candidates, while state-level substitutions are allowed until September 19.
