Nigeria’s major opposition parties have intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections, launching nationwide digital membership registration drives to meet a crucial deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) commenced electronic registration of members across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory following INEC’s directive that all political parties must submit updated membership registers by April 2, 2026.
The directive comes amid controversy surrounding the amended Electoral Act 2026, which some opposition groups argue tilts the political playing field in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
After a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, INEC also revised the 2027 election timetable, scheduling the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship elections are set for February 6, 2027. The adjustment has triggered a race against time among political parties seeking to regularise their membership databases in compliance with the new regulations.
Despite describing the timeline as tight, the PDP announced that its electronic registration exercise would run for three weeks beginning March 2, mobilising ward structures nationwide to ensure broad participation.
Similarly, the ADC unveiled a free online registration portal, calling on both new and existing members to register or revalidate their information to remain eligible for party primaries.
Sources within the APC also indicate that the ruling party may reopen its e-registration platform to enable additional members to enrol before the INEC deadline, as all parties scramble to meet compliance requirements.
With the clock ticking toward April 2, political parties across the country are now leveraging digital tools to consolidate their structures, strengthen grassroots presence, and position themselves strategically ahead of what promises to be a fiercely contested 2027 electoral cycle.
