Countdown To Elections: APC Reveals 13 Governorship Candidates On INEC Portal

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has uploaded the nomination details of 13 governorship candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) candidate nomination portal ahead of the August 8 submission deadline for the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A senior party official, who spoke to The Punch on condition of anonymity, disclosed that documentation for five additional governorship candidates is currently being processed, while the submission of State House of Assembly candidates has yet to commence due to technical issues affecting INEC’s nomination portal.

Despite the challenges, the source expressed confidence that the ruling party would complete the submission of all governorship candidates and their running mates before the deadline.

According to INEC’s election timetable, political parties began uploading nomination forms for governorship and State House of Assembly candidates on July 18, with the exercise scheduled to close at 6 p.m. on August 8, 2026.

Earlier, the commission received nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly candidates between June 27 and July 14, including Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E, in line with Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

INEC is expected to publish the particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates on August 8, while those of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates will be displayed on August 29.

The APC source revealed that the party’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) team has successfully uploaded the details of 13 governorship candidates since the nomination process began.

Among those already processed are Lagos State’s Obafemi Hamzat, Ogun State’s Solomon Adeola, Niger State Governor Umar Bago, Nasarawa State’s Ahmed Wadada, Kwara State’s Yakubu Danladi, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, Adamawa State’s Ahmed Galadima, and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang. The identities of the remaining uploaded candidates were not disclosed.

“So far, the party has successfully uploaded the details of 13 governorship candidates, while the documents of five others are still being processed by the ICT department,” the source said.

“We are optimistic that all 28 governorship candidates and their deputies will be uploaded before INEC’s August 8 deadline.”

The official explained that technical glitches on INEC’s portal have delayed the submission of candidates for State Houses of Assembly, although the required documents have already been scanned and prepared for immediate upload once the issues are resolved.

“Our ICT team is monitoring the portal closely, and as soon as the technical problems are fixed, the upload of State Assembly candidates will begin,” the source added.

Under INEC’s timetable, presidential and National Assembly candidates have until August 22 to withdraw or be substituted, while governorship and State House of Assembly candidates can be replaced or withdrawn up to September 19.

Speaking on the exercise, APC Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim assured party members that the remaining uploads would be completed in the coming days.

He urged all candidates to remain committed to the APC’s ideals and campaign in line with the Renewed Hope agenda.

“In the coming days, the party will complete the uploading of all our candidates. We expect every candidate to remain loyal to the party’s policies and campaign on the Renewed Hope agenda, ensuring they deliver the democratic dividends Nigerians expect,” Ibrahim said.

He added that the party’s candidates must prioritise the welfare of citizens and work towards national development.

Addressing concerns over dissatisfaction arising from some of the party’s primaries, Ibrahim acknowledged that grievances existed but said the APC’s reconciliation committee was actively engaging aggrieved members.

“We are confident that the reconciliation process will address all outstanding issues before full-scale campaigns begin,” he stated.