Politics
APC Races to Meet INEC July 11 Nomination Deadline as Tinubu Yet to Name Running Mate
With the July 11, 2026 deadline for the submission of presidential nomination forms to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fast approaching, political parties are making last-minute efforts to complete the nomination process.
INEC fixed 6:00 p.m. on July 11 as the deadline for political parties to submit the nomination forms of their presidential and National Assembly candidates through its online nomination portal. The exercise, which began on June 27, involves the submission of Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E in accordance with Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The commission also scheduled the submission of nomination forms for governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates from July 18 to August 8, while the personal particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates will be published on August 1. Governorship and State Assembly candidates’ particulars will be published on August 29.
Among the major presidential contenders, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has named former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has paired Peter Obi with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
However, President Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has yet to formally announce his running mate, despite widespread speculation that he will retain Vice President Kashim Shettima.
A decision to retain Shettima would put to rest months of speculation over the APC ticket following reports of strained relations between the President and his deputy. The rumours intensified after an APC North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe descended into chaos when supporters of Shettima allegedly attacked the party’s zonal vice chairman, Mustapha Salihu, over the omission of the Vice President’s name during endorsements for Tinubu.
Tinubu secured the APC presidential ticket during the party’s nationwide primaries held on May 23, 2026, defeating his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo, by a landslide. He received his Certificate of Return the following day in Abuja but has yet to unveil his running mate.
The APC has maintained that the choice of a running mate remains the President’s exclusive decision.
Of the major parties, only the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose presidential candidate is Sandy Onor, are yet to announce their vice-presidential candidates.
Placeholder Option Still Available
Although July 11 is the deadline for submitting presidential nominations, INEC’s timetable allows political parties to withdraw and replace presidential and National Assembly candidates until August 22.
This provision means the APC could adopt the strategy it used in 2022 by submitting Tinubu’s nomination alongside a placeholder vice-presidential candidate before replacing the nominee ahead of the substitution deadline.
Ahead of the 2023 election, Tinubu initially submitted the name of Ibrahim Masari as a placeholder vice-presidential candidate before Masari withdrew, allowing Shettima to emerge as the substantive running mate. Masari later served in Tinubu’s administration as Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters before being appointed Special Adviser on Political Affairs.
APC Says Upload Process Progressing Smoothly
Party sources disclosed that the APC has already uploaded the nomination details of several House of Representatives and Senate candidates, including those of prominent lawmakers and serving governors seeking Senate seats.
According to one senior party source, the nomination forms of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma have already been uploaded to the INEC portal.
The source expressed confidence that Tinubu’s nomination and that of his running mate would be submitted before the deadline.
“We have covered a lot of ground. The uploading of candidates is going as planned. Our leaders and stakeholders are working round the clock to ensure all candidates are uploaded before the July 11 deadline,” the source said.
Another APC official described the exercise as seamless and transparent, adding that the party remained committed to complying fully with the INEC timetable.
ADC, NDC Confirm Submissions
Officials of both the ADC and NDC confirmed that their presidential candidates’ nomination forms had already been uploaded to the INEC portal.
NDC national leader Seriake Dickson confirmed the submission of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso’s nomination, while ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi said the party had successfully uploaded the nomination forms of Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi.
PDP Nears Completion
The Peoples Democratic Party also said it had completed approximately 60 percent of the upload of its National Assembly candidates.
PDP National Organising Secretary Umar Bature explained that about 169 nominations were still pending due to delayed submission of documents by some candidates.
He expressed optimism that the exercise would be completed before the deadline, noting that uploads were being carried out daily as documentation was received.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Ahead of the 2027 National Assembly elections, a mass protest voting movement may be building up in Anambra South Senatorial District, following reported moves by members of major political parties to support the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Ebuka Onunkwo.
The development is said to be linked to grievances among some members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and remnants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the treatment allegedly meted out to Onunkwo during previous political contests.
Onunkwo, who had previously contested the Anambra South senatorial seat under APGA, later emerged as the NDC candidate for the 2027 election.
Although the ADC is currently embroiled in legal disputes over the authentic candidates and the conduct of its primary elections, some members of the APC and APGA are also reportedly dissatisfied with developments within their respective parties.
It was gathered that a section of APGA members, in particular, are backing Onunkwo as a form of protest over the conduct of the party’s senatorial primary, while some members of other parties are also believed to be considering voting for him irrespective of their party affiliations.
Confirming the growing support for Onunkwo, the Chief Executive Officer of NOWAS Oil and Gas Limited and a major stakeholder in Anambra South politics, Chief Ignesus Ikechukwudere Nnubia, said the NDC candidate currently enjoys widespread acceptability across party lines.
Nnubia said the growing support for Onunkwo had made his party affiliation less significant, arguing that voters would ultimately vote according to their conscience and assessment of the candidates.
He said, “At the moment, the number of APGA members with him and supporting him makes one wonder what is left of that party. Even the remnants of the PDP have pitched their tents with him, while members of the ruling APC at the national level are also behind him.
“So, the party that he belongs to is not a factor at all. You know that it is a game of numbers, and people are going to vote according to their conscience and not necessarily because of the political party they belong to.
“People are not bound to vote for their party, and some of them are ready and willing to vote for him.
“We are not talking about the party because he will surely get votes from the NDC, APGA, APC and even other political parties that are already closing ranks to support him as their candidate.”
Nnubia further described Onunkwo as the candidate currently standing tall among the contenders for the Anambra South senatorial seat, expressing confidence that his emergence would usher in what he described as a “new dawn” for the district.
He said political parties should not be the major consideration for voters, stressing that what matters most is the ability of elected representatives to improve the lives of their constituents.
According to him, political parties exist because of the people, and therefore the influence of party structures and incumbency has its limits during elections.
Nnubia said those factors would ultimately be tested by the electorate in the 2027 election, which he described as a contest in which voters’ choices would determine the outcome.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Ebonyi State election, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has pledged to attract more than ₦2 trillion in private-sector investment to the state within six months of assuming office if elected.
Odii made the pledge while addressing supporters in Lagos ahead of the formal commencement of his campaign.
He said his investment strategy would cover key sectors of the Ebonyi economy, including mining, hospitality, real estate and manufacturing.
According to the PDP candidate, he has identified more than 2,000 prospective investors, each capable of investing about ₦1 billion in the state.
“I have over 2,000 people who can invest ₦1 billion each. When you multiply it, you will get over ₦2 trillion. This has been structured in such a way that all aspects of the economy will be involved,” Odii said.
He said the proposed investment drive was designed not only to inject capital into the state but also to create jobs, expand the productive base of the economy and provide opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs.
Odii said Ebonyi’s natural resources and strategic location placed it in a strong position to attract large-scale investments if its economic potential was properly harnessed.
He promised that his administration would prioritise private-sector participation, industrialisation and job creation while creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investors.
The candidate also said existing businesses in the state would be supported to expand, while new investors would be encouraged to establish operations across various sectors.
His pledge comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with economic development, employment generation and wealth creation featuring prominently in his campaign message.
The proposed ₦2 trillion investment target within six months, if achieved, would represent a significant boost to Ebonyi’s economy and rank among the most ambitious private-sector investment mobilisation plans proposed in the state.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The planned visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Anambra State has sparked controversy following a protest by the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Emma Anosike, that the party was not informed about the visit.
Anosike said the APC in Anambra was never consulted or briefed about the proposed visit, adding that the party was taken aback by reports that the wife of the party’s national leader and presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would be visiting the state without recourse to the state chapter.
He said, “It is indeed strange that the First Lady of our presidential candidate is visiting Anambra State without recourse to the party in the state.
“The party wishes to state categorically that we are not part of the arrangements for the reception of our First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, because the party was never put in the picture.”
Anosike also dismissed the mantra that “The Progressives Are Working Together”, being canvassed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), describing it as a smokescreen by the ruling party in Anambra to hijack President Tinubu’s re-election from the APC.
He said, “For instance, the APGA-led government in Anambra State did not interface with us on the organisation of the visit, and the party wonders if the progressives are indeed working together.”
The APC chairman, however, said the development would not compromise the First Lady’s visit, urging all APC members and supporters in the state to turn out and give Senator Oluremi Tinubu a warm welcome.
He stressed that despite the party’s reservations over the arrangements, APC members remained committed to welcoming the First Lady to Anambra State.
Former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Sagir Saleh, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Saleh, who served as deputy governor under former Governor Isa Yuguda, announced his resignation in a letter submitted to the party leadership in Katagum Local Government Area.
He cited personal reasons for his decision but did not provide further details.
His exit comes amid growing disagreements within the Bauchi APC following the party’s 2027 governorship primary. Other prominent members, including former governorship aspirant Bala Jibrin and Sunusi Kunde, an associate of Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, have also reportedly left the party.
Jibrin, a former National Auditor of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), resigned on August 31, 2026, following his opposition to the emergence of former Bauchi Governor Muhammad Abubakar as the APC’s 2027 governorship candidate.
He had criticised the primary process and questioned how the candidate emerged.
Kunde also resigned from the APC in August, submitting his resignation to the party chairman of Beti Ward in Misau Local Government Area.
The latest departures are coming as efforts continue to resolve internal disputes and disagreements among APC members in the state.
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to assassinate former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ayodele issued the warning in a video shared on his verified X account on Sunday, urging both opposition figures to strengthen their security and remain vigilant.
The cleric did not identify those allegedly behind the purported plot but claimed that attempts were being made to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
According to him, divine intervention would prevent the alleged plan from succeeding.
“Obi and Atiku, be very conscious of your security. They are looking for any means to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
“But God will never allow it to happen. Watch out and be cautious about your security,” he said.
Ayodele also urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider travelling to the United States, alleging that there were forces in America working against his political fortunes.
The claims come as political activities and realignments intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
-
Health3 days agoUNTH Begins Contact Tracing After Suspected Diphtheria Case
-
News5 days agoDangote Reveals He Bought First Private Jet at 22
-
News4 days agoPoor Lighting, Sanitation Frustrate Work At First Niger Bridge
-
Entertainment5 days agoPoco Lee Granted Bail in UK Ahead of September 15 Court Hearing
-
Crime4 days agoPolice Place Nigeria on Red Alert Over Planned Attacks
-
Crime3 days agoTwo Policemen Killed As Gunmen Attack DPO’s Convoy in Benue
-
Entertainment3 days agoVeteran Actor Olu Jacobs Dies at 84
-
News3 days agoSEDC to Launch 50,000-Hectare Agro-Mechanisation Project in Enugu to Tackle Unemployment, Insecurity