Nigeria opposition candidates face rulings and INEC delays

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, a series of court rulings and internal party disputes have created significant uncertainty for several opposition parties, even as they formally submit their presidential candidates. The Independent National Electoral Commission has restored the Nigeria Democratic Congress's access to its nomination portal, allowing the party to upload the names of its national leader, Seriake Dickson, and presidential candidate, Peter Obi. This follows a Federal High Court judgment last week that set aside an earlier order directing INEC to register the NDC, a ruling the party is appealing.

In a separate development, a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered INEC to facilitate the registration of the All Democratic Alliance political association, directing the commission to issue a registration access code within 72 hours. Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress confirmed it has successfully uploaded the particulars of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, to the INEC portal.

Opposition figures have raised alarms over what they describe as a coordinated assault on democracy. NDC leader...