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2027: APC Begins Uploading Governorship, Assembly Candidates to INEC Portal
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun uploading the names of its governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP) ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the party moves to beat the August 8 submission deadline.
Findings at the APC National Headquarters in Abuja showed that the party’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) department started processing the nomination documents on Saturday.
The exercise covers 28 governorship candidates and 993 State Houses of Assembly candidates across the country.
The party is expected to give priority to 16 serving governors seeking second-term re-election. They include Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Abba Yusuf of Kano, Dikko Radda of Katsina, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Umaru Bago of Niger, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, Agbu Kefas of Taraba and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, among others.
APC is also expected to upload the names of 12 first-time governorship candidates, including Obafemi Hamzat in Lagos, Solomon Adeola in Ogun, Ogundu Kingsley Chinda in Rivers, Eric Opah in Abia, Mohammed Abubakar in Bauchi, Mustapha Gubio in Borno, Jamilu Gwamna in Gombe, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada in Nasarawa and Baba Malam Wali in Yobe.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the only APC governor who will not be seeking a return ticket after withdrawing from the governorship race in May. Announcing his decision at the time, Fubara said he stepped aside in the interest of the state.
He said, “Rivers State is bigger than any individual, and at this critical moment, the peace, stability, and unity of our dear state must take precedence over every personal interest.”
He also appealed to his supporters to remain calm. He said, “To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey, who gave their time, resources, prayers, and unwavering hope, I offer my deepest gratitude. I understand the disappointment, the anger, and the pain many of you may feel.”
Governorship elections will not be conducted in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun because of their off-cycle election calendar. The APC had earlier uploaded the names of its presidential and 469 National Assembly candidates.
A source within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) said a special committee was established to ensure that only properly verified nominations are uploaded to the INEC portal.
According to the source, “The party has set up a special committee headed by Hon. Jibrin Bancir, the Principal Private Secretary to the APC National Chairman.”
The source added, “The committee is saddled with the responsibility of collecting and verifying all nomination forms from State Chairmen before handing them over to the ICT unit. We are leaving nothing to chance ahead of the August 8 deadline for the closure of the INEC portal.”
Under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, political parties are required to submit the names of candidates they intend to sponsor, together with the required affidavits and statutory declaration forms, within the timeline fixed by INEC.
Unlike previous elections where political parties could make last-minute changes through physical submissions, the new law imposes strict penalties for late submissions or changes after the portal closes. INEC opened the ICNP portal on July 18 and it is scheduled to shut automatically at 6:00 p.m. on August 8.
Despite the ongoing upload, the final list of State Houses of Assembly candidates is still being reviewed, with some names expected to be replaced following recommendations by the party’s Primary Elections Appeal Committee.
APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka had earlier disclosed that the party received hundreds of petitions after its primary elections, making further reviews necessary.
According to Morka, “The party received over 700 petitions following the shadow elections held in May. The outcome of the primary appeal committee reports is being closely studied, and its implementation may necessitate the dropping and replacement of some names to ensure justice and party cohesion before the INEC deadline.”
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2 Days to Go: The Wait Is Almost Over… Can Team Nigeria Write Another Golden Chapter in Glasgow?
In just two days, the eyes of the sporting world will turn to Glasgow, Scotland, as more than 3,000 athletes representing 74 Commonwealth Games Associations gather for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, competing for 215 gold medals across 11 sports.
Among them will be Team Nigeria, one of the Commonwealth’s most respected sporting nations, carrying not only the dreams of millions of Nigerians but also a legacy built over more than seven decades of excellence.
Since making its Commonwealth Games debut in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1950, Nigeria has grown into one of the competition’s traditional powerhouses. From Joshua Majekodunmi’s historic silver medal in the high jump to the country’s dominance in wrestling, athletics, weightlifting, boxing and para powerlifting, Team Nigeria has consistently demonstrated that talent, resilience and determination are part of its sporting identity.
Today, Nigeria’s Commonwealth record stands proudly at 271 medals—82 gold, 84 silver and 105 bronze—placing the nation among the Games’ most successful competitors.
Every medal tells a story.
Every gold represents years of sacrifice.
Every podium finish reflects the determination of athletes who carried the Green and White with pride.
This year’s Games present another opportunity to strengthen that remarkable record.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has challenged Team Nigeria to pursue an ambitious target of 20 gold medals, a feat that would surpass the country’s previous best gold-medal performance of 12, achieved at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It is a bold target, but one inspired by months of careful planning, improved athlete welfare, world-class preparation and encouraging performances on the international circuit.
Preparation has been meticulous.
For weeks, Team Nigeria has trained and acclimatized in Aberdeen, fine-tuning tactics, sharpening fitness and adapting to Scottish conditions before beginning the final move into the Games Village in Glasgow. The NSC has backed the delegation with technical, medical and welfare support, ensuring athletes arrive ready to perform when competition begins.
Confidence has also been boosted by recent performances.
Sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi heads into the Games after equalling the Nigerian 100m record of 9.84 seconds for the third time this season with a stunning victory at the London Diamond League. In para powerlifting, Nigeria once again looks to stars like Folashade Oluwafemiayo, one of the country’s most decorated athletes, as the team targets an early medal when the sport opens competition.
These performances have reinforced belief that Team Nigeria possesses both the experience of established champions and the hunger of emerging stars eager to make their mark on the Commonwealth stage.
Scotland itself is no stranger to the Games.
This will be the fourth time the country has hosted the Commonwealth Games, following Edinburgh 1970, Edinburgh 1986, and the hugely successful Glasgow 2014. Once again, the city is preparing to welcome the Commonwealth family for 11 days of world-class competition, unforgettable moments and sporting excellence.
For Nigeria, however, Glasgow is more than another host city.
It is another opportunity to inspire.
Another chance to raise the national flag.
Another chance to hear the Nigerian anthem echo across medal ceremonies.
Across the country, the anticipation continues to grow. Families are preparing to cheer from their homes, young athletes are looking for heroes to emulate, and a nation waits to celebrate the next generation of champions.
The waiting is almost over.
The training is complete.
The countdown is nearly finished.
Now comes the moment every athlete has worked for.
Two days from now, Team Nigeria will step onto the Commonwealth stage once again—not just to compete, but to continue a legacy that has already delivered 82 gold medals and 271 podium finishes.
The next chapter begins in Glasgow.
2 Days to Go. The Stage Is Set. The Green and White Are Ready.
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