With less than three months to the May 30 deadline for party primaries, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned political parties against conducting flawed primaries or allowing internal disputes to escalate, warning that such developments could undermine preparations for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, issued the warning at the opening of a three-day Technical Review Workshop on Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. He stressed the commission’s determination to enforce its regulations strictly as political parties prepare for primaries, noting that the process is often accompanied by internal crises, imposition of unpopular candidates and prolonged litigation.

According to Amupitan, the commission’s 2026 guidelines will introduce stricter standards for membership documentation, financial transparency and the inclusion of women, youth and persons with disabilities in party activities. He lamented that many political parties have become arenas of persistent leadership tussles instead of serving as vehicles for national transformation.

He added that time spent defending intra-party disputes in court diverts the commission from its core responsibility of election planning. The workshop, supported by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, is part of INEC’s effort to strengthen its regulatory framework following the passage of the Electoral Act 2026 and the release of the timetable for the 2027 elections. Under the schedule, party primaries are expected to take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

Meanwhile, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has argued that internal party conflicts are not the main cause of voter apathy in Nigeria. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, said declining public confidence in the electoral process is the greater challenge confronting the country’s democracy.

Johnson maintained that scepticism about electoral integrity, rather than party infighting, is discouraging citizens from participating in elections. He urged INEC to prioritise reforms that would rebuild trust and demonstrate transparency in the conduct of polls.

Similarly, Victor Umeh of the Labour Party, representing Anambra Central, said the commission must restore public confidence by ensuring credible and transparent elections, noting that many Nigerians have lost faith in the system.

The debate comes amid growing anxiety among opposition parties over the mandatory electronic membership register introduced under the Electoral Act 2026. The law requires all registered political parties to submit their digital membership registers to INEC not later than April 2, 2026, as a prerequisite for participating in the elections.

Opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, have raised concerns about the tight timeline and strict provisions. The ADC warned that the requirement could shrink the democratic space by placing smaller parties at a disadvantage if they fail to meet the technological and organisational demands within the stipulated period.

The Inter‑Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has also convened a meeting to deliberate on the matter, although the outcome of the discussions had not been made public as of press time.

Reacting to opposition criticism, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said the Electoral Act is a product of the National Assembly of Nigeria and not the creation of any political party. APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said all parties, including the APC, are bound by the provisions of the law.

Morka rejected claims that the legislation was designed to favour the ruling party, insisting that the National Assembly represents diverse political interests and operates independently of party structures.

Meanwhile, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda said the party is unconcerned about the state of the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections, describing rival parties as disorganised and unprepared. He also welcomed the defection of Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri from the PDP to the APC, describing the governor as a valuable addition to the ruling party.

In a related development, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has begun consultations ahead of the African Democratic Congress presidential primaries. Atiku on Tuesday night held a closed-door meeting with several South-East political leaders in Abuja as part of efforts to consolidate support within the party.

The meeting, which took place at the residence of ADC chieftain Chikwe Udensi, attracted prominent figures including Chekwas Okorie, Emeka Nwajiuba, Ralph Nwosu and several other stakeholders. Sources said discussions focused on alliance-building, political collaboration and the South-East’s role in the party’s strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.