President Bola Tinubu on Friday formally retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

This was as political parties made last-minute moves to beat the Independent National Electoral Commission’s deadline for the submission of presidential and National Assembly candidates.

The ruling All Progressives Congress presented the nomination forms of Tinubu and Shettima to its National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, in Abuja for onward transmission to INEC, effectively ending months of speculation that the President could replace his deputy with a northern Christian.

The development came as INEC confirmed that it had received the presidential and vice-presidential nominations of the African Democratic Congress, Nigeria Democratic Congress, Social Democratic Party, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, Peoples Redemption Party and Young Progressives Party.

Meanwhile, several other political parties continued uploading the names of their candidates ahead of the commission’s Saturday midnight deadline.

The electoral commission had fixed July 11, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to upload the nomination forms of their presidential and National Assembly candidates through its online nomination portal in accordance with Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The submission exercise, which commenced on June 27, covers Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E for presidential, vice-presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates.

According to the timetable released by the commission, political parties are expected to begin uploading the names of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates from July 18, with the exercise ending on August 8.

INEC is scheduled to publish the personal particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates on August 1, while those of governorship and state assembly candidates will be displayed on August 29 to allow members of the public raise objections where necessary.

The commission also fixed August 22 as the deadline for the withdrawal and substitution of presidential and National Assembly candidates, while governorship and state assembly candidates have until September 19 for withdrawal or replacement in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The July 11 deadline marks one of the most critical stages in the build-up to the 2027 general elections, as only candidates validly nominated by political parties through primaries monitored by INEC are eligible for submission.

The commission had repeatedly warned political parties against submitting the names of candidates different from those who emerged from duly monitored primaries, insisting that any nomination outside the provisions of the Electoral Act and its regulations would be rejected.

Against this backdrop, the APC used Friday’s presentation ceremony to publicly affirm its presidential ticket, signalling that it would head into the 2027 contest without altering the Muslim-Muslim ticket that secured victory in the 2023 presidential election.

Following President Tinubu’s emergence as the APC’s presidential candidate during the party’s convention, political discussions had intensified over whether the President would retain Shettima or opt for another running mate to broaden the party’s electoral appeal.

Those speculations gathered momentum in recent months amid reports that the ruling party was considering a northern Christian as vice-presidential candidate to address concerns over religious balancing.

Friday’s submission, however, ended the uncertainty, with the APC formally presenting Tinubu and Shettima as its flag bearers for the 2027 election.

The nomination documents were presented on behalf of the President by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, during a ceremony attended by members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council, the APC National Working Committee, state chairmen of the party and APC governorship candidates.

Earlier, the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, described the event as the formal presentation of the duly completed nomination forms of the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Argungu noted that President Tinubu had earlier secured the party’s presidential ticket through what he described as a transparent primary election and urged party members to remain united ahead of the 2027 polls.

He also commended the President for what he described as the achievements of his administration before formally handing over the nomination documents to the APC National Chairman for onward submission to INEC.

Speaking on behalf of APC governors, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, reaffirmed the governors’ support for President Tinubu and the party leadership.

“We are delighted that this event is coming after a well-organised and thoroughly supervised primary process. We reiterate our commitment to continue supporting President Tinubu and the party,” he said.

Uzodimma said the APC remained committed to internal democracy and inclusiveness, adding that the governors would continue mobilising support for the President across the country.

“We will continue to support him in the larger interest of Nigerians and to take the country to greater heights. To the National Working Committee, we reaffirm our support. Together, we are going to deliver victory for President Tinubu and ensure the party wins all elective positions, including the National and State Assemblies,” he added.

Receiving the nomination forms, APC National Chairman, Prof. Yilwatda, described the event as a reflection of the confidence reposed in President Tinubu by millions of party members across the country.

According to him, the President’s endorsement by members of the party demonstrated widespread support for his administration and its policies.

He stated, “Today is a reflection of the wishes of over 12 million members of the APC who overwhelmingly voted for Mr. President as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election. We are proud that APC members across the country cast over 12 million votes for Mr. President and overwhelmingly endorsed him.

“I am sure that, together with members of the public who are APC sympathisers, friends of the party, and beneficiaries of the programmes of Mr. President, they will overwhelmingly vote for him. I can’t imagine the over 1.5 million students who are receiving student loans. They have families and friends, and they are part of a larger group that will overwhelmingly vote for Mr. President for supporting their education.”

Yilwatda also pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects across the country, saying the administration had undertaken road construction and other development projects in all six geopolitical zones.

He added, “We have road networks across the country that Mr. President has constructed; some of the longest in the history of Nigeria. Communities that had long forgotten road connectivity now have access to beautiful concrete roads passing through their villages, while local people are being engaged as workers on these projects. These projects cut across all six geopolitical zones, benefiting millions of Nigerians.

“People on social media often ask, ‘Who will vote for the APC?’ They are waiting for us across the country to vote for Mr. President. Look at the roads passing through communities and the many other projects the government is undertaking.”

The APC chairman urged governors and party faithful to intensify grassroots mobilisation and campaign on what he described as the administration’s achievements.

He continued, “Nigerians and our party members will overwhelmingly vote for him come January and give him a second term to continue the excellent work he has done in his first term. I appeal to the governors and to our supporters to go back home and spread the good news about what Mr. President is doing across the country. What we need is to focus on the achievements, the success stories, and the impact of his administration.

“We must go out there with facts. Let us tell our success stories. Believe me, Nigerians have seen the difference between policies that touch the lives of the people and governance that delivers results.”

Yilwatda also challenged governors to compete in delivering the highest number of votes for the President in 2027.

“We will all come out and mobilise across the six geopolitical zones. I am sure there will be healthy competition among the governors. One geopolitical zone has already told me they will deliver the highest number of votes for Mr. President. I will be happy to see such competition among the governors as they mobilise their states so that we can see which state will return the highest number of votes for Mr. President.

“We are excited as a party to present the best candidate in the history of this country in terms of good governance. As a party, we are proud and happy. We will present the best candidate in this election. That is why we are not afraid and have no doubt about our success. There is no shaking at all. Come 2027, our victory as a party is assured.”

INEC insists on midnight deadline

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission said five political parties were yet to complete the submission of the names of their presidential and vice-presidential candidates as of Friday, as it insisted that the July 11 deadline remained unchanged.

The commission’s National Commissioner, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH while providing an update on submissions through INEC’s online nomination portal.

Haruna explained that while several parties had uploaded their presidential, vice-presidential and National Assembly candidates, others were still completing the exercise, stressing that all political parties had until midnight on Saturday to comply with the commission’s timetable.

He said, “Various parties have uploaded nominees. The deadline is still tomorrow; they have until 12 midnight tomorrow to upload.”

According to him, the parties that had made varying levels of submissions include AA, AAC, ADC, APGA, APM, Labour Party, Nigeria Democratic Congress, National Rescue Movement, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, Young Progressives Party and Zenith Labour Party.

Haruna further disclosed that only a handful of parties had completed the submission of both their presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

He said, “The ones that have so far made submission of presidential and running mates are AA, AAC, ADC, NDC, PRP, SDP and YPP.

“ZLP only submitted presidential candidate, yet to forward that of Vice President. Those yet to make any submissions are APGA, LP, NRM, APM, and PDP.”

The INEC commissioner reiterated that political parties were expected to strictly comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the commission’s regulations, warning that candidates whose names did not emerge from primaries monitored by the commission would not be accepted.

The electoral umpire had earlier cautioned political parties against attempting to substitute candidates outside the provisions of the law, insisting that only duly nominated candidates would be recognised.

The commission maintained that the online nomination portal was introduced to improve transparency and efficiency in the submission process and reduce disputes arising from manual documentation.

Reacting to INEC’s update, Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, expressed confidence that the party would beat the deadline.

He said, “We have uploaded about 99 per cent of our candidates list. So, it is as good as having it completed. I am pretty sure that before the close of business today, Labour Party would have completed its upload of all the candidates nominated in various primaries held nationwide.

“We are doing it and I can assure you that we are going to meet up. After all, Saturday is the deadline.

“Our candidate for the 2027 election has not changed. He remains Dr Chibuzor Okereke. If anything happens tomorrow and he is no longer the presidential flag bearer, I don’t have the powers of clairvoyance to determine that.”

Nigeria Democratic Congress National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, also said the party had concluded arrangements to complete the upload of all its candidates before the deadline.

He said, “As we announced to the world, the presidential candidate of the NDC remains Peter Obi and his running mate, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso. It has not changed.

“We have no fear of uploading all the names of the remaining candidates before the deadline window of INEC closes.”

Similarly, African Democratic Congress National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party was on course to beat the deadline.

He said, “As of last night, I am aware that a considerable number of the candidates list had been uploaded.

“At least, we are certain that by tomorrow, everything would have been there. I am pretty sure my people are aware of the deadline.”

As political parties raced to conclude the nomination process, fresh concerns also emerged over the credibility of the 2027 general elections, with opposition leaders warning against what they described as attempts to weaken democratic institutions.

The concerns come amid renewed political alignments ahead of the election, with opposition parties intensifying consultations and coalition efforts while raising questions about public confidence in the electoral process following the controversies that trailed the 2023 general elections.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

He accused the APC-led Federal Government of deploying state institutions for partisan purposes.

He said, “My biggest fear is not whether the ruling party can win a free and fair election. My biggest fear is that they have long concluded that they cannot. That is why every institution that should protect democracy is being bent to serve partisan interests.

“When a government consistently ignores court orders, weaponises law enforcement against political opponents, tolerates selective justice, and treats constitutional safeguards as inconveniences, it sends a dangerous message that power, not the law, is supreme. No democracy can survive that mentality.”

The former vice president further alleged that the Tinubu administration was weakening institutions responsible for guaranteeing credible elections.

He said, “What we are witnessing today is not merely poor governance; it is the systematic erosion of the guardrails that guarantee credible elections. The same administration that has presided over unprecedented economic hardship, record inflation, a collapsing naira, rising insecurity, and a cascade of unresolved scandals now appears more invested in weakening democratic institutions than in earning the confidence of Nigerians.

“Governments that perform well seek votes. Governments that fail seek advantages outside the ballot box.”

According to Atiku, credible elections go beyond the conduct of voting on election day.

“Our concern extends beyond election day. Electoral integrity begins long before ballots are cast. It includes an independent electoral commission, security agencies that remain politically neutral, an impartial judiciary, equal access to the media, and the freedom of citizens to organise, campaign, and vote without intimidation.

“When these pillars are compromised, democracy is reduced to a mere ritual while the people’s sovereign will is quietly subverted.”

He, however, said the opposition would continue to pursue constitutional means to defend the electoral process.

“Let me, however, make one thing abundantly clear: we will not surrender democracy to those who believe power is an entitlement. We will mobilise Nigerians peacefully, lawfully, and constitutionally to defend every vote. We will engage local and international observers, strengthen legal preparedness, and insist that every institution charged with protecting the electoral process performs its constitutional duty without fear or favour.

“Ultimately, the greatest threat to any incumbent is not the opposition; it is the verdict of a hungry, frustrated, and betrayed people.

“Nigerians have endured enough. They deserve leaders who earn their mandate through performance, not through manipulation.”

He added that history had shown repeatedly that no amount of state power could permanently suppress the will of a determined people.

PDP elder statesman, Chief Bode George, also expressed concern over what he described as attempts to undermine opposition politics.

He said, “I am extremely concerned and worried. Democracy does not mean silencing the opposition. Once you refuse to respect the voices of the opposition, injustice sets in.

“I have continued to tell Mr President that the methods being used to undermine democratic institutions are dangerous to the integrity of this country.”

On his part, the Lagos Central Senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Ladipo Johnson, questioned public confidence in the electoral process, particularly in INEC.

He said, “It is a shame that a large proportion of the population of our country does not have confidence in INEC to conduct a free and fair election. Unfortunately, people see INEC as an extension of the government because, under our Constitution, the President appoints its leadership. People need to have confidence in the system, but unfortunately, they don’t.”

Johnson also argued that worsening economic and security conditions could influence the outcome of the election.

“The ruling party knows enough to understand that, given the state of the economy and the security situation, they may not win a truly free and fair election. So why should we assume, there will be one?” he asked.

He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and participate actively in the electoral process.

“At every polling unit, there will be a battle to ensure that the will of the people prevails against those oppressing the Nigerian masses.

“Many people will be tempted by N5,000 or N10,000 and may end up selling their votes.

“As opposition parties, we have a lot to do in the coming months. We must educate and reorient the people and ensure there is a large voter turnout. The higher the turnout, the more difficult it will be for anyone to manipulate the elections.”

Similarly, the Young Progressives Party identified “state capture” as its biggest concern ahead of the election.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Wale Egbeola-Martins, said, “The YPP’s greatest concern ahead of the 2027 general elections is the increasing threat of state capture and its implications for Nigeria’s democracy.

“We are already witnessing disturbing signs, with opposition political parties being systematically destabilised while critical state institutions appear to be deployed to intimidate opposition leaders and suppress dissent.

“Our fear is that the electoral environment may not provide a level playing field.”

He also expressed concern about the independence of key democratic institutions.

“There are growing concerns that institutions constitutionally expected to be independent, particularly INEC, could come under undue influence, thereby undermining public confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.”

The Democratic Leadership Alliance also identified declining public confidence in democratic institutions as a major concern ahead of the elections.

Its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Judith Aguenu, said, “The DLA believes that the greatest threat to the 2027 general elections is not any particular political party, but the erosion of public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

“Our concerns are centered on the need to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. We expect all institutions, particularly INEC and the security agencies, to operate strictly within the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, free from political interference or intimidation.”

She added that the party was focused on mobilising Nigerians and encouraging peaceful civic participation ahead of the polls.

He also expressed concern about the independence of key democratic institutions.

“There are growing concerns that institutions constitutionally expected to be independent, particularly INEC, could come under undue influence, thereby undermining public confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.”

The Democratic Leadership Alliance also identified declining public confidence in democratic institutions as a major concern ahead of the elections.

Its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Judith Aguenu, said, “The DLA believes that the greatest threat to the 2027 general elections is not any particular political party, but the erosion of public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

“Our concerns are centered on the need to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. We expect all institutions, particularly INEC and the security agencies, to operate strictly within the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, free from political interference or intimidation.”

She added that the party was focused on mobilising Nigerians and encouraging peaceful civic participation ahead of the polls.