According to report by Nigerian Tribune on Friday, January 2, 2026, the political atmosphere in Nigeria is set to be dynamic in 2026 as the country gears up for the 2027 general elections.
New timelines from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) mandate that all political parties hold their primaries in July 2026, while government officials aspiring to elective positions must resign by February 2026.
This schedule ensures that candidates are confirmed seven months ahead of the February 2027 elections. Traditionally, governance tends to take a backseat during this pre-election year, as political maneuvering dominates.
Professor Joash Amupitan, who assumed office as INEC chairman last October, faces early tests with two off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun.
These polls, in the South West, a stronghold of President Bola Tinubu will provide insights into Amupitan’s commitment to conducting credible and transparent elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar continues his pursuit of the presidency under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking his fourth attempt at the nation’s top office.
Atiku, who previously ran under the PDP and Action Congress of Nigeria, will compete with contenders like Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi for the opposition ticket.
President Bola Tinubu, who rose from two-term Lagos governor to national APC leader, retains the advantage of incumbency and has already been endorsed as the APC’s 2027 candidate.
Southern governors have largely aligned with the APC, creating a perceived southern coalition, while disaffected northern party members have gravitated toward the ADC.
The upcoming election raises questions about whether the North can again unseat a southern president, a decade after Goodluck Jonathan’s loss to Muhammadu Buhari.
Former Rivers Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, remains a key ally of Tinubu, despite internal PDP tensions.
Wike has denied claims of working against his party, maintaining his loyalty while continuing to oversee significant development projects in the FCT.
Other influential figures include APC national chairman Netanwe Yilwatda, who seeks to balance regional interests within the party, and former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, now formally in the ADC, aiming to contest the presidency.
Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, while critical of Tinubu’s administration, has ruled out seeking office in 2027 but remains vocal within political discourse.
As 2026 unfolds, these leaders and their strategic moves will dominate Nigeria’s socio-political conversation, setting the stage for a highly contested 2027 election.
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