Ruling party formally submits presidential ticket, ending months of speculation over the vice-presidential slot as other parties race to complete nominations…..
President Bola Tinubu has officially retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, ending months of speculation that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could alter its presidential ticket ahead of the polls.
The APC on Friday presented the completed nomination forms of Tinubu and Shettima to its National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, for onward submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), just hours before the electoral body’s deadline for presidential and National Assembly nominations.
The move effectively puts to rest reports that the President was considering replacing Shettima with a northern Christian in a bid to broaden the party’s electoral appeal.
The nomination documents were presented on behalf of the President by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, during a ceremony attended by members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the National Working Committee, the Federal Executive Council, lawmakers and other senior party officials.
Speaking at the event, APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, described the presentation as the formal submission of the party’s presidential and vice-presidential nomination forms, noting that Tinubu had emerged through what he called a transparent primary election.
He urged party members to remain united ahead of the 2027 general election and commended the President for the achievements recorded by his administration.
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, reaffirmed the governors’ support for Tinubu, pledging to mobilise votes for the APC across the country.
According to him, the governors remain committed to ensuring victory for the party in the presidential, National Assembly and state elections.
Receiving the nomination forms, APC National Chairman Prof. Yilwatda said the President’s endorsement reflected the confidence of millions of party members in his leadership.
He argued that the administration’s programmes, including the student loan scheme and ongoing infrastructure projects across the six geopolitical zones, would strengthen the party’s chances at the polls.
Yilwatda also challenged APC governors to compete in delivering the highest number of votes for the President during the 2027 election.
INEC Insists Deadline Remains Unchanged
Meanwhile, INEC said political parties had until midnight on Saturday, July 11, to upload the names of their presidential, vice-presidential and National Assembly candidates through its online nomination portal in line with the Electoral Act.
INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna disclosed that while several parties had completed their submissions, others were still uploading candidates ahead of the deadline.
According to him, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP) had successfully submitted the names of both their presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
He added that the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) had submitted only its presidential candidate, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were yet to complete their presidential nominations as of Friday.
Haruna stressed that the commission would not extend the deadline and warned political parties that only candidates who emerged from duly monitored primaries would be recognised.
He reiterated that nominations submitted outside the provisions of the Electoral Act would not be accepted.
Opposition Parties Express Confidence
Despite INEC’s timeline, several opposition parties expressed confidence that they would complete the submission process before the deadline.
Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said the party had uploaded almost all its candidates and remained on course to finalise the process before the portal closed.
He also maintained that Chibuzor Okereke remained the party’s presidential candidate.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) also said its presidential ticket remained unchanged, with Peter Obi as its flag bearer and Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said it expected to complete the upload of all its candidates within the stipulated timeframe.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Electoral Process
As preparations for the 2027 elections intensify, opposition figures also raised fresh concerns about the credibility of the electoral process.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused the Federal Government of undermining democratic institutions and deploying state agencies for partisan purposes.
In a statement issued through his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that credible elections depend not only on voting day but also on the independence of INEC, the neutrality of security agencies, an impartial judiciary and equal opportunities for all political parties.
He maintained that the opposition would continue to defend the democratic process through lawful and constitutional means.
PDP chieftain Bode George also warned against actions capable of weakening opposition politics, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Young Progressives Party and Democratic Leadership Alliance expressed concerns over public confidence in the electoral process and the independence of key democratic institutions.
The parties, however, urged Nigerians to remain actively engaged in the democratic process and participate peacefully in the 2027 general elections.
