Key Takeaways

• INEC says 18 of the 22 registered political parties nominated presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2027 general elections.
• APGA, Youth Party and Accord Party did not nominate presidential candidates.
• The NNPP withdrew its presidential nomination during the substitution window.
• 21 political parties submitted candidates for the National Assembly elections, including 313 Senate candidates and 3,547 House of Representatives candidates.
• At the state level, 21 parties nominated 936 governorship and deputy governorship candidates and 9,692 State House of Assembly candidates.
• INEC said it had resolved 112 complaints from the nomination process, apart from matters pending before the courts.

INEC Names Three Parties Without Presidential Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that three of the 22 registered political parties did not nominate presidential candidates for the 2027 general elections.

According to INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Youth Party (YP) and Accord Party (AP) did not field presidential candidates.

Amupitan made the disclosure during INEC’s world press conference and National Stakeholders Forum on preparations for the 2027 elections on Tuesday.

The commission said 18 of the 22 registered political parties nominated presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

The Three Parties Without Presidential Candidates

The parties identified by INEC are Accord, APGA and the Youth Party.

Amupitan explained that while the three parties did not nominate presidential candidates, another political party subsequently withdrew its presidential nomination during the substitution period.

That party was the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The INEC chairman said the NNPP withdrew its presidential nomination during the substitution window, making its situation different from that of the three parties that did not nominate candidates in the first place.

What INEC Reported About The Wider 2027 Candidate Lists

Beyond the presidential election, INEC reported that 21 of the 22 registered political parties submitted candidates for the National Assembly elections.

The parties collectively nominated 313 candidates for the Senate and 3,547 candidates for the House of Representatives.

Amupitan said INEC published the personal particulars of the candidates on August 1, 2026, while the final list of candidates was published on September 12, 2026, subject to court orders.

The figures provide a broader picture of the number of candidates already involved in the 2027 electoral process.

Thousands Of Candidates Also Listed At State Level

INEC also provided figures for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

According to Amupitan, 21 political parties nominated 936 governorship and deputy governorship candidates across the states.

The parties also nominated 9,692 candidates for the State Houses of Assembly.

INEC published the candidates’ personal particulars on August 29, while the final list was scheduled for publication on October 10.

INEC Resolves 112 Complaints From Nomination Process

The nomination process has also generated complaints from aspirants, candidates and political parties.

Amupitan said the complaints included allegations of unlawful withdrawal and substitution of candidates, typographical errors and other legal issues connected with nominations.

He disclosed that INEC had investigated and resolved 112 complaints previously received during the nomination period.

However, matters that are currently before the courts remain outside the commission’s completed resolution process.

Fresh Complaints Follow Supreme Court Judgment

INEC has also received fresh complaints concerning the possible implications of a recent Supreme Court judgment for the 2027 electoral timetable.

Amupitan said the complaints came from political parties and members of the National Assembly and referred to the Supreme Court case involving INEC and the Zenith Labour Party.

According to the INEC chairman, the judgment affirmed the constitutionality of Sections 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 and also addressed the commission’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.

The development remains part of the wider legal issues surrounding the nomination process, with court-related matters still pending where applicable.

What Happens Next In The 2027 Election Process?

INEC’s latest disclosure provides an updated picture of the presidential, National Assembly and state-level nominations ahead of the 2027 elections.

The commission is also continuing to deal with complaints arising from the nomination process while taking account of court orders and recent judicial decisions.

With the final candidate lists and outstanding legal matters still forming part of the electoral process, further updates from INEC will determine how the candidate lists develop before the 2027 general elections.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many political parties nominated presidential candidates for 2027?

INEC said 18 of the 22 registered political parties nominated presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Which parties did not nominate presidential candidates?

INEC identified Accord Party, APGA and the Youth Party as the three parties that did not nominate presidential candidates.

Did the NNPP nominate a presidential candidate?

According to INEC, the NNPP withdrew its presidential nomination during the substitution window.

How many parties submitted National Assembly candidates?

INEC said 21 of the 22 registered political parties submitted candidates for the National Assembly elections.

How many Senate candidates were nominated?

The parties nominated 313 candidates for the Senate.

How many House of Representatives candidates were nominated?

INEC said 3,547 candidates were nominated for the House of Representatives.

How many governorship and deputy governorship candidates were nominated?

INEC reported 936 governorship and deputy governorship candidates at the state level.

How many State House of Assembly candidates were nominated?

The commission said 9,692 candidates were nominated for the State Houses of Assembly.

How many nomination complaints has INEC resolved?

Amupitan said INEC had investigated and resolved 112 complaints received from aspirants, candidates and political parties, excluding matters pending before the courts.

Conclusion

The latest INEC disclosure shows that the 2027 electoral process has already produced thousands of candidates across presidential, National Assembly and state-level contests.

While 18 political parties have presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Accord, APGA and the Youth Party have no presidential candidates, while the NNPP withdrew its presidential nomination during the substitution window.

The nomination process is not yet entirely free of legal questions, however, with INEC continuing to address complaints and court-related issues that could affect aspects of the 2027 election process.