A disagreement has emerged between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and several political parties over the release of access codes required to upload candidates’ details for the 2027 general elections.
While INEC insists the access codes have been made available to eligible parties, most political parties claim they are yet to receive them, raising concerns as the candidate nomination process gets underway.
According to INEC’s election timetable, political parties have until July 11, 2026, to submit the names and particulars of their presidential and National Assembly candidates through the commission’s online nomination portal.
Speaking on the issue, an INEC official said the commission recently organised a two-day training for representatives of political parties on how to use the portal, adding that technical officers remain available to assist parties experiencing challenges.
INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, dismissed claims that access codes had not been released, explaining that parties participating in the training would receive the necessary credentials.
She maintained that the nomination portal remains open until the July 11 deadline and urged political parties to complete their submissions within the stipulated period.
Despite the commission’s assurances, several parties insisted they were still waiting for their access codes.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) said they had yet to receive the codes, while the Labour Party (LP) also confirmed it was awaiting INEC’s approval before uploading its candidates’ information.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) similarly stated that it had formally requested its access code from INEC but had not received any response.
According to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC is also preparing legal action following the recent Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja affecting the party’s registration status.
Meanwhile, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) disclosed that INEC had already begun issuing access codes for the Osun State governorship election, although it was unclear whether the same process had commenced fully for the 2027 general elections.
On the other hand, the Because Of Our Tomorrow (BOOT) Party confirmed that it had received notification from INEC that its access code was ready for collection.
INEC’s nomination process is being conducted in line with the Electoral Act 2026, which requires political parties to submit candidates’ nominations at least 120 days before the election.
For governorship and State House of Assembly elections, the commission said the nomination portal will open on July 18 and close on August 8, 2026.
As political parties race against the deadline, attention is now focused on whether all parties will receive their access credentials in time to complete the nomination process without disruption.
