Recently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) blew the whistle for the 2027 polls, with the release of a revised timetable for the contest. According to the electoral commission, political parties are expected to nominate their candidates between April 23 to May 30. Thus, in the coming days, political parties will be nominating candidates for the 2027 polls.

However, the legal framework for the poll, which is the electoral act, is set to change the dynamics for the nomination of candidates for the next election. The new electoral act, which was passed on February 17 by the two chambers of the National Assembly, was signed by President Bola Tinubu on February 18.

Apart from the much talked about Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act, which prescribed the mode of transmission of election results, the removal of indirect primary as a mode for the nomination of political party candidates has been a source of discord in the polity with stakeholders expressing divergent views. The Electoral Act 2022 had provided for indirect and direct primaries, as well as consensus as mode of nomination of candidates for elective offices.

Nonetheless, Section 84 of the new act stipulates that the “the provision for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various positions shall be by direct primaries or consensus.” Section 87 (1) of the new electoral law adds that “a political party that adopts a consensus candidate shall secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position, indicating voluntary withdrawal from the race and their endorsement of the consensus candidate.”

Relatedly, Section 77(4) mandates political parties to submit a digital register, which detail the names, sex, date of birth, address, state, local government, ward polling unit, National Identification Number (NIN)and photograph of members to the electoral commission 21 days before the date fixed for its primaries.

While the National Assembly and the presidency have celebrated the removal of the indirect primary as a mode of nomination of party candidates, the opposition sees it as an intrusion into the internal affairs of political parties. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) at a recent press briefing in Abuja, told journalists, that the National Assembly is invariably wanting to sow discord in the opposition political parties to enable President Bola Tinubu have a smooth sail in the next presidential election.

The NNPP National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, who spoke on behalf of the two parties noted that “the amendment to Section 84 of the Act, limiting political parties to direct primaries and consensus for the purpose of selection of candidates is clearly an overreach on the constitutionally guaranteed autonomy of political parties in the exercise of their internal affairs. The National Assembly cannot hide under the provision of Section 228(b) of the Constitution to restrict political parties to only two methods of nomination. There is nothing undemocratic about indirect primaries, which create an electoral college for the selection of candidates in an objective, transparent and orderly manner.

“As a matter of fact, recent experience has shown that indirect primaries have been the most democratic of the trio provided in all the past Electoral Acts. We recall many situations where during direct primaries, the winning candidates were allocated votes that eventually exceeded the total number of votes cast in the subsequent general elections, clearly showing the unreliability of direct primaries. We have also witnessed situations of forced consensus, like the recent case of Osun APC Governorship primaries.”

However, Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, while responding to criticism against the new electoral law stated that “We find it perplexing why the opposition is crying over the inclusion of direct primaries and consensus voting, rather than the corrupt delegate system they prefer. The opposition should be grateful to the National Assembly for removing delegate-based primaries and restoring party ownership to its members. No aspirant should fear participation by party members in the primaries. This is how candidates are picked by party members in the United States, where we borrowed the presidential system of government.”

How new law will shape 2027 contest

Beyond the brickbats by the presidency and the opposition on the Electoral Act 2026, Analysts say the new electoral Act will substantially alter the dynamics in the nomination of candidates for the next polls and by extension, the 2027 contest altogether; with far reaching implications for both political parties and aspirants seeking for elective offices in the 2027 general election.

For starters, unlike in the past where delegates decided who becomes the standard bearers, the nomination of candidates will now be determined by every registered member of a political party through direct primaries, except of course where the party opts for consensus. However, pundits say consensus may be unlikely in the major opposition parties, owing to the cut throat contests for party tickets.

Therefore, most of the parties would have to rely on the direct primary to nominate their candidate. Pundits say the new Electoral Act poses serious challenges to both the political parties and aspirants in terms of nomination of candidates. These include making nominations more expensive, concentrating more powers in the hands of the leadership of political parties. Besides, the Electoral Act makes it impossible for aspirants, who lose out in party primaries, to explore opportunities on other platforms.

National Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ini Ememobong told Daily Sun that direct primaries have a lot of drawbacks, noting that “the first thing is the cost of it. A direct primary is like a mini election. It drains the resources of aspirants. Number two, it is the easiest primary to rig. It carries a façade of inclusivity. But when you look at it deeply, you will understand that the party hierarchy can give whosoever.”

Ememobong added that “Remember that in this same country we have had someone who was contesting for senate, governorship whose nomination score became more than three time the votes cast (in the main election). The question is if the people were available to vote for him during nomination, where did the people go during the election? It shows manipulation, it is the easiest to manipulate because you have almost an infinite number. “

What then is the implication of the Electoral Act for female aspirants in the coming election cycle, especially against the backdrop that women have always had difficulties securing party tickets for the main election?

The Founder The Osasu Show (TOS)Foundation, Chief Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche told Daily Sun that the mode of nomination will shape the electoral prospects of female aspirants significantly. According to her, “the mode of nomination in 2027, whether direct primaries or consensus, will significantly shape women’s electoral prospects. Direct primaries can be more inclusive because they reduce the dominance of a small delegate system that has often been vulnerable to inducement and highest-bidder politics.

“By allowing all registered party members to vote, the process broadens participation. However, it is also expensive and logistically demanding. Campaigning across entire states to mobilise party members substantially increases costs (a burden that can disproportionately disadvantage many female aspirants).”

Igbinedion-Ogwuche added that “Consensus, on the other hand, can either open doors or quietly shut them. When it is transparent and reform-driven, it can strategically advance credible female candidates. But when controlled by a narrow circle of party leaders, it risks reinforcing entrenched hierarchies that have historically excluded women.

“Ultimately, the real issue is not simply the method, but the political will behind it. Without intentional, gender-sensitive reforms within party structures, both systems can reproduce existing inequalities. Gender mainstreaming must move beyond rhetoric and translate into measurable action.”

Furthermore, besides Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, which requires political parties to submit their digital register days to their primaries, the House of Representatives has further amended the act, prescribing a fine of 10 Million or prison term of two years or both for anyone found guilty for belonging to more than one political party at a time.

Also, according to the new law, political parties whose election results in litigations, stand the risk of not fielding a candidate for that particular position. Section 88(2) and (3) of the Electoral Act prescribes that “notwithstanding the provisions of this Bill or rules of a political party, an aspirant who complains that any of the provisions of this Bill and the guidelines of a political party have not been complied with in the selection or nomination of a candidate of a political party for election, may apply to the Federal High Court for redress.

“Where a court finds that a political party failed to comply with the provisions of this Bill in the conduct of its primaries, its candidate for that election shall not be included in the election for the particular position in issue.”

Analysts say while this may compel the political parties to ensure a free, fair and transparent nomination exercises, there are fears that this might be exploited by rival political parties to sow crisis in the camp of opponents. (The Sun)