INEC Distributes Party Access Codes Amid Protests Over APC Primary Results
The Independent National Electoral Commission has begun issuing access codes to political parties for candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 elections, as internal disputes flare within the APC and concerns emerge over ballot access for smaller parties.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced distribution of access codes to registered political parties, enabling them to submit candidate nominations for the 2027 general elections via its online portal, according to a commission statement reported by Daily Trust. The move marks a key procedural step in the electoral timeline, though questions remain over transparency and inclusion, particularly for smaller parties.
Amid these developments, the All Progressives Congress (APC) faces internal unrest following its recent primaries. In Ondo State, women and youth members of the party staged a protest in Akure, rejecting the party’s revised list of senatorial and House of Representatives candidates. Demonstrators demanded the release of what they described as the authentic primary results and blocked the governor’s convoy in a sign of escalating dissent. The APC national leadership, meanwhile, issued a statement through National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, declaring that any circulating list of successful candidates from the party’s primaries is fake and unauthorized. 'The APC hereby informs the public that it has not released any official list of winners of its primaries,' the statement read.
Simultaneously, political realignments are underway. Hon. Fyneman Wilson, a close ally of Senator Seriake Dickson and former political adviser during Dickson’s tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State, has defected to the APC. Wilson cited internal party dynamics within the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), describing it as a 'sole proprietorship' that is 'heading nowhere.' His defection underscores ongoing fragmentation within smaller opposition parties ahead of the 2027 cycle.
Adding to the political tension, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged a 'coordinated attempt' by elements within the ruling establishment to manipulate the electoral process and prevent the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from gaining ballot access. Atiku warned of a 'fresh plot to keep ADC off the ballot,' raising concerns about fairness in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. The allegations remain unverified, but they reflect broader anxieties about electoral equity and institutional integrity.