Nigerian Opposition Parties Intensify Grassroots Activities Ahead of 2027 Elections
The All Progressives Congress conducts ward-level elections across multiple states while the African Democratic Congress reports surge in membership applications in Nasarawa, signaling early mobilization for the 2027 general elections.
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Political parties across Nigeria have accelerated grassroots mobilization activities, conducting internal elections and membership drives as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections, with developments in Gombe, Nasarawa, Abia, and the Federal Capital Territory highlighting divergent strategies among both ruling and opposition parties.
The All Progressives Congress held ward-level congress elections in Gombe State, where Edwin Chukwujekwu, an Anambra indigene, secured election as Assistant Secretary of the Bolari East Ward, according to Legit.ng. The development underscores the ruling party's efforts to demonstrate inclusiveness beyond ethnic and regional boundaries in northern states where non-indigenes have historically faced political marginalization. The APC's internal democratic processes at the ward level represent the foundational tier of party organization, where grassroots mobilization begins and local leadership structures are established ahead of higher-level congresses.
In Nasarawa State, the African Democratic Congress reported significant growth in membership interest, with Chairman of the Transitional Leadership Team John Michael-Abdul claiming that more than 400,000 residents have expressed interest in joining the party. Speaking to Vanguard News, Michael-Abdul attributed the surge to dissatisfaction with the performance of established parties and the ADC's positioning as an alternative political platform. The figures, if verified through formal registration, would represent substantial growth for a party that secured minimal votes in Nasarawa during the 2023 elections, suggesting potential realignment of political allegiances in the north-central state.
The membership claim comes amid broader challenges facing opposition parties in Nigeria, where defections to the ruling APC have been frequent since 2015. Political analysts have noted that while expressions of interest do not automatically translate to registered membership or electoral support, such numbers indicate growing appetite for alternatives to the two dominant parties—the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party—particularly in states where governance deficits remain pronounced.
Meanwhile, the Abia State chapter of the APC reinforced its support for President Bola Tinubu and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, according to This Day. The rally, themed "One vision, one direction, one victorious movement," signals the party's efforts to consolidate support in the southeast, a region where the APC has struggled to gain electoral traction against the Labour Party and PDP. Deputy Speaker Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, has emerged as a key APC figure in the region, and the party's public demonstration of confidence in his leadership suggests strategic positioning for the 2027 contests.
In the Federal Capital Territory, the BAT Ideological Group, a support organization aligned with President Tinubu, provided campaign financing to APC chairmanship and councillorship aspirants in Bwari Area Council. Convener Bamidele Atoyebi's intervention in local government elections demonstrates how presidential support networks extend beyond federal and state contests to influence grassroots political competitions. The donation pattern reflects the increasing monetization of internal party processes and local elections, raising questions about the independence of elected officials from external financial backers.
The simultaneous activities across multiple states reflect the extended campaign cycle that has become characteristic of Nigerian politics, with parties and aspirants beginning mobilization more than 18 months before the scheduled February 2027 elections. Electoral observers have noted that early mobilization provides advantages in voter registration drives and alliance-building but also extends the period of political expenditure and potential violence associated with competitive elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has yet to release the official timetable for the 2027 elections, though preparations typically begin with party congresses and primaries approximately one year before polling day. The commission conducted off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states in 2024, with results that showed continued APC dominance but also revealed organizational weaknesses in opposition parties' capacity to mount effective challenges.
As political activities intensify, the Economic Community of West African States and domestic election monitoring organizations have emphasized the importance of peaceful internal party processes as foundations for credible general elections. The 2023 electoral cycle witnessed significant pre-election violence during party primaries and congresses, particularly in states with intense factional rivalries, prompting calls for security agencies to provide adequate protection for participants in internal party democracy exercises.