On your marks, set, go: Parties race against May deadline for primaries - Punch Newspapers

AI Summary

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections, setting the presidential and National Assembly vote for January 16 and the governorship and state assembly vote for February 6. Party primaries are now scheduled to run from April 23 to May 30, 2026, with a requirement to submit digital membership registers at least 21 days before any primary. INEC Chairman Mohammed Haruna announced the changes following amendments to the Electoral Act 2026. Parties must comply or risk disqualification from fielding candidates. The next steps involve parties conducting primaries within the new deadline and resolving any disputes before the election dates.

Reliability

Reported by 6 sources: Punch Nigeria, The Guardian Nigeria, ripples, This Day, Arise News, The Nation.