The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said it will publish the list of successful candidates from its primaries “when fully ready” to do so.
The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, gave the assurance in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune.
Responding to accusations that the ADC and other parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were withholding candidates’ lists, Abdullahi said: “Are parties required to release it publicly or submit it to INEC? The party will release it.
“The important thing is: have we submitted it to INEC? Have we met all requirements? That is what matters now. Whether we make it public or not is a different thing. We will make it available when we are ready.”
Six days after the primaries ended, the delay in releasing the final candidates’ lists ahead of the 2027 elections has left many aspirants anxious.
None of the major parties has published its full list yet. Apart from presidential candidates who have received Certificates of Return, other candidates, including sitting governors, are still waiting.
The uncertainty has been worsened by statements from party leaders that results announced at collation centres may not stand, since party leadership retains final authority.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said only parties would announce the final results. Senate President Godswill Akpabio also told colleagues who lost their primaries that “it was not the end of the matter.”
Akpabio met with President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, while Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and other House leaders met the president on Thursday. Both meetings are seen as moves to accommodate aspirants who lost out.
Parties are expected to release the names of successful candidates and submit them to INEC shortly after the primaries. That allows INEC to prepare for the general election and enables candidates to begin campaign planning.
According to INEC’s timetable, parties were to hold primaries and resolve disputes between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
However, results for the State Assembly, National Assembly, governorship, and presidential primari
es were still pending.
