Opposition political parties across Nigeria have embarked on a last minute rush to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) deadline for submitting their membership registers ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC had extended the final date for the exercise to May 10, 2026, following earlier complaints from parties that the initial window was too tight.
Under Section 77(4) of the 2026 Electoral Act, every registered political party is required to submit its membership register to INEC not later than 21 days before the conduct of its primaries. The commission has repeatedly stressed that only members whose names appear in the submitted registers will be eligible to vote or be voted for during party primaries.
In the last 48 hours leading up to the deadline, national secretariats of several opposition parties have been busy collating and uploading names from ward and local government chapters nationwide. Officials say the pressure has been intense as parties strive to clean up duplicated entries, remove defectors and capture new members recruited during recent drives.
Analysts note that the membership register requirement could significantly reshape internal power dynamics, since factions that control the lists effectively control who votes in primaries. Some smaller and newer parties have reportedly struggled with logistics, data management and the cost of nationwide registration, raising concerns about their ability to fully comply.
INEC, however, has maintained that there will be no further extension beyond May 10, insisting that timely submission is crucial to planning and monitoring party primaries. The commission has warned that parties which fail to submit comprehensive registers risk disputes over their primaries and may face sanctions under the Electoral Act.
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