The commission was initially expected to issue the access code on Friday, June 26, but sources within INEC and various political parties disclosed that the process was rescheduled to Monday to allow for a smoother commencement of the online submission exercise.
INEC had already distributed the required nomination forms to political parties ahead of the upload process. With the forms now in circulation, the only outstanding step is the activation of the online portal through the release of the access code.
“The political parties have been given the forms that would be filled, but the access code on where it would be uploaded has not been released until Monday,” a source disclosed yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has continued preparations for the submission of its candidates. The party was said to have presented Certificates of Return to its nominated candidates on Wednesday while also issuing them the official INEC nomination forms.
During the ceremony, the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led PDP formally ratified the outcomes of its primary elections for the positions of president, governor, senator, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly ahead of the 2027 general election.
Sources within the party said each candidate was instructed to complete and return the nomination forms within 72 hours to enable the party begin uploading the required documents immediately after INEC activates the portal.
In a related development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed as fake a list circulating on social media claiming to contain the names of successful candidates from its recently concluded primary elections.
In a public notice issued on Sunday, the party stated that no official list of winners had been released and urged its members and the general public to ignore the unauthorised publication.
The disclaimer, signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, was published on the party’s official X account.
“The public is, therefore, advised to disregard any publication or report purporting to announce the outcome of the primaries, as such information is false and unauthorised,” the statement read.
The APC added that successful aspirants would be formally notified through the party’s recognised communication channels before they are issued their Certificates of Return.