INEC Timetable and the Urgent Need for Political Reawakening in Nigeria' By Gbenga Onabamiro

With the release of the 2027 General Election timetable by INEC, Nigeria has officially entered another season of political preparation. But beyond dates, forms, and schedules, this timetable should serve as a wake-up call to every political party in the country:
The era of one “strong man” hijacking a party must end.

INEC has provided an unusually long runway — from voter registration in April 2026 to party primaries between July and September 2026. This is not just administrative planning; it is a moral and institutional opportunity for parties to rebuild credibility, unite their structures, and return power to their members.

A Call for Parties to Put Their House in Order
As primaries approach, political parties must cleanse themselves of practices that have repeatedly undermined Nigeria’s democracy:

The culture where one individual, however wealthy or influential, single-handedly determines who becomes a candidate must not be allowed to continue.

Parties must resist the temptation to be pocketed by governors, financiers, or self-styled “owners of the party.”

Internal party democracy must be more than a slogan — it must be practiced.

Nigeria cannot continue on a path where candidates emerge through imposition, manipulation, or shadowy negotiations. When a party is hijacked by one man, the people lose their voice even before Election Day.

Let the Majority Decide — Not a Cabal.
The INEC timetable clearly states that all primaries must take place between July 1 and September 30, 2026. This window gives parties enough time to:
Conduct open congresses,
Hold credible primaries,
Allow every aspirant a fair chance,
Let delegates and party members freely choose their flagbearers.

This period must not be treated as a coronation ceremony for the anointed candidates of a political godfather. Parties must embrace the democratic principle that the majority, not a cabal, should decide.

Transparency is No Longer Optional.
From October 1–31, 2026, parties will submit their candidate lists online. INEC has already warned: no late submissions, no shortcuts, no manipulations.

This means:
Parties that lack unity will expose themselves.

Parties that rely on imposition will face internal rebellion

Parties that manipulate primaries will face court challenges

To avoid pre-election litigations and post-election rancour, transparency must be the guiding rule.

*A Reawakening for the Nigerian Electorate*
The INEC timetable has also placed responsibility on citizens:
Voter registration begins April 2026

PVC collection runs until February 2027

Campaigns start in November and December 2026.

This early notice gives Nigerians no excuse to stay passive. Democracy thrives when citizens participate, question, demand accountability, and refuse to be deceived by political theatrics.

The Countdown Has Begun — The Question Is: Are the Parties Ready?
The 2027 elections will not test INEC alone.
They will test:
The strength of Nigeria’s political parties,
Their willingness to embrace internal democracy,
Their resistance to godfatherism,
Their commitment to transparency.
Their respect for their own constitutions.

INEC has done its part by releasing a clear timetable.
Now the burden shifts to the political class.

This is a moment of political reawakening.
Parties must rise to the challenge and prove to Nigerians that democracy can still work — that power truly belongs to the people, not the powerful few.

If the parties fail to put their house in order now, they will have only themselves to blame when crisis erupts later.

2027 is not just another election year.
It is a test of Nigeria’s democratic maturity.
As the Hope is renewed, Let’s make everything work.

Prof. Gbenga Onabamiro is a Counselling Psychologist and Public affairs Analyst.