Opposition parties in Nigeria are considering adopting consensus candidates for the 2027 presidential election following the release of a revised timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission, party officials said.
Stakeholders in the African Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party and Labour Party (Nigeria) said consensus could help reduce the financial and logistical burden of organizing direct primaries ahead of the elections.
The parties have criticized provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which restrict political parties to either direct primaries or consensus when selecting candidates for elective offices.
Under Section 84 of the law, political parties must conduct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, monitored by the electoral commission, using either direct primaries or consensus. The previous Electoral Act 2022 had allowed delegate-based indirect primaries.
Opposition parties also objected to Section 77(2) of the new law, which requires political parties to submit a digital membership register to the electoral commission at least 21 days before any primary, congress or convention. Noncompliance could lead to disqualification from fielding candidates.
Following the enactment of the law, the electoral commission on Feb. 26 released a new timetable, stating that party primaries and the resolution of disputes arising from them will take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
Party officials said the limited time frame and the high cost of organizing direct primaries have pushed many opposition leaders to consider consensus as a practical alternative.
In the ADC, party leaders have begun consultations aimed at persuading presidential aspirants and their supporters to agree on a consensus candidate.
Among those who have declared interest in the party’s presidential ticket are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar , the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party Peter Obi , and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi.
A senior ADC official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly, said consensus appeared to be the most feasible option given the time constraints.
“Everybody knows that direct primaries are logistically difficult given the time frame imposed on us. So we are likely going to have a consensus candidate,” the official said.
However, the party’s national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi said the leadership had yet to formally discuss the issue, although consensus could significantly reduce costs and logistical challenges.
Within the PDP faction led by Tanimu Turaki, party leaders are also considering a consensus arrangement, according to a zonal chairman who spoke anonymously.
He accused the ruling party of using legislative changes to weaken opposition parties financially and politically.
“If aspirants spend all their resources to secure party tickets, how much will they have left to contest the general election?” he said, adding that consensus could help preserve resources for the polls.
The PDP national publicity secretary, Ini Ememobong , said the party was taking steps to meet the electoral commission’s deadlines while maintaining its opposition to what he described as legislative interference in party affairs.
“We are taking practical steps to meet INEC deadlines, though we are opposed to the overreach by the National Assembly in limiting the options available to political parties,” he said.
The NNPP is also exploring the possibility of consensus among its aspirants, according to its national publicity secretary, Ladipo Johnson.
Johnson said the party had begun nationwide membership registration and hoped to meet the deadlines for submitting both manual and electronic registers to the electoral commission.
“We will try as much as possible to achieve unanimity to ensure that our candidates emerge in accordance with the law,” he said, adding that consensus could save the party significant financial and logistical costs.
The Labour Party said consensus remained a legitimate option under the law and could help reduce the pressure and cost associated with organizing large-scale primaries.
The party’s national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh welcomed the removal of indirect primaries, saying the system had encouraged the monetization of the electoral process.
“Consensus is a good way of producing party candidates, and the Labour Party will abide by the constitution and give Nigerians the best candidate who can win the election,” he said.
