Opposition political parties on Saturday intensified efforts to submit updated membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the deadline tied to preparations for the 2027 general elections. The scramble followed INEC’s March 27 decision to extend the submission deadline to May 10, 2026, amid mounting political uncertainty and unresolved coalition negotiations across several parties. INEC had stated that, “The register of party members must be submitted to INEC not later than 21 days before the holding of their respective primaries.” With May 30 fixed as the deadline for party primaries, parties planning to hold primaries on that date were required to submit their digital membership registers by May 9.
The deadline triggered anxiety among political actors, especially aspirants facing internal party disputes and possible disqualification. Several opposition parties, however, insisted they had either complied fully with the Electoral Act or were completing the process before the deadline elapsed.
National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Yusuf Bala, disclosed that the NNPP had already submitted its register in multiple volumes and exceeded INEC’s minimum membership requirement. “We have passed the threshold of INEC that no party should have fewer than 5,000. We have met that and far surpassed it,” he said.
Bala added that the party’s register was submitted in “three volumes,” reflecting what he described as strong national spread. “We have followers from Kano, Kaduna, and North Central. To us, we have a very reasonable followership in the entire 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” he stated.
The Social Democratic Party also confirmed compliance with the directive. SDP National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, said the party completed the process before INEC officials visited its secretariat for verification. “We have complied with the membership register long before INEC officials visited us at the secretariat for verification a few weeks ago,” he said.
Aiyenigba added that the SDP had supplied INEC with “tonnes of the registration documents,” noting that the party’s membership strength remained “quite encouraging.” SDP National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, gave a brief confirmation when asked if the register had been transmitted, saying, “Yes, we did.”
The Labour Party also reported a surge in registrations, particularly in northern Nigeria. National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, revealed that internal data showed stronger registration figures in the North than in the South. “Surprisingly, what we were able to glimpse from the backend shows that we have more members in the North than in the South,” he said.
Asogwa noted that more nomination forms were purchased in Taraba, Adamawa, Benue and parts of the North-East, adding that the current leadership had succeeded in expanding the party’s reach. “She has been able to take the party to the doorstep of northern homes, and they also bought into it because LP is crisis-free,” he added.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress also expressed confidence that it would beat the deadline. Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, said, “There is no problem. The NDC will definitely meet the deadline in line with the Electoral Act before it lapses.” However, he declined to provide the party’s exact membership figures.
Other parties, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Young Progressives Party and African Action Congress, also confirmed compliance. APGA spokesman Ejimofor Opara responded, “Yes, please,” when asked if the party had submitted its register, while YPP spokesman Wale Egbeola-Martins said, “Yes, we have complied.” AAC leader Omoyele Sowore equally confirmed compliance in a terse response, saying simply, “yes.”
INEC maintained that strict adherence to the Electoral Act remained mandatory, stressing that membership registers are essential for verifying party membership and monitoring congresses and primaries. The commission said the directive was in line with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026, which compels parties to submit their registers at least 21 days before primaries.
Despite assurances from several parties, uncertainty persisted in others battling leadership crises and consensus disputes. In the African Democratic Congress, unresolved litigation over the party leadership threatened the ambitions of presidential hopefuls including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi. Analysts believe the prolonged court battle may complicate the party’s ability to conduct valid primaries before the May 30 deadline.
The Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress also faced internal tensions over factional disputes and controversial consensus arrangements. Across states including Yobe, Gombe, Nasarawa, Ogun and Rivers, aggrieved aspirants accused governors and party leaders of imposing candidates, leaving many with limited options as the deadline for submitting membership registers effectively shut the door on last-minute defections ahead of the 2027 elections.
