Opposition parties are intensifying efforts to expand their national structures, grow membership and secure wider voter support ahead of campaigns for gubernatorial elections opening today.
The 22 political parties currently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Action Peoples Party (APP), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Boot Party (BP).
Others are Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Labour Party (LP), National Democratic Party (NDP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Youth Party (YP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
BusinessDay findings showed that only a few of the 22 parties, notably the APC, PDP and ADC, have a significant semblance of nationwide spread. The PDP, however, has been weakened by years of internal crisis. The ruling party, on its part, reopened its electronic membership registration to further expand its base ahead of the polls. So far, it claims 12 million members, according to its officials.
Although 19 of the 22 parties have fielded presidential candidates for the 2027 election, several are still struggling to establish structures across the country.
The NDC, which has fielded Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor, is among the emerging parties pushing to expand its footprint. Registered by INEC in February 2026, the party has been seeking to establish structures beyond its immediate political base.
Osa Director, NDC national publicity secretary, told BusinessDay that the party has candidates across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and intends to participate fully in the elections.
For the NDC and other emerging opposition parties, building a presence beyond traditional strongholds remains crucial to transforming national political visibility into votes and establishing themselves as credible alternatives rather than regional platforms.
Similarly, the ADP is seeking to build its own structures rather than depend on a coalition. The party’s vice-presidential candidate has rejected suggestions that the ADP is relying on a coalition, insisting that the party is building its structures and preparing to compete across the country.
Ken Asuquo, Labour Party’s national publicity secretary, said the party was strengthening its internal organisation and moving away from dependence on individual popularity.
According to him, the LP wants to build a political organisation capable of competing effectively in presidential, governorship and legislative elections.
‘The focus is on institutional strength. We are building a party that can win across states where voters are looking for an alternative,’ he said.
Some parties have also fielded governorship candidates in states where they lack strongholds and established grassroots structures, underscoring the gap between appearing on the ballot and possessing the machinery required to win elections.
Bernard Mikko, a political scientist and former member of the House of Representatives, said parties unable to achieve the required national spread could turn to alliances or coalitions.
‘Well, the parties that know they cannot achieve the required spread can form a coalition,’ he said.
He added that the parties could negotiate and ultimately adopt a common candidate to avoid splitting opposition votes and improve their chances of victory.
BusinessDay gathered that 16 candidates are contesting the Oyo governorship seat, with APC’s Sharafadeen Alli facing Bimbo Adekambi of the APM, backed by Governor Seyi Makinde, and Yinusa Ayandare of the ADP, among others.
In Lagos, 17 candidates are in the race, including APC’s Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor, and ADC’s Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour. Kaduna has 18 candidates, including incumbent Governor Uba Sani of the APC, while Kebbi has 14 and Delta 16.
In Sokoto, 19 candidates are vying for the governorship, while Kwara has 12. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, APC’s Speaker of the State House of Assembly, will face PDP’s Bolakale Kawu and 10 others. Dauda Lawal, Zamfara governor, faces 15 challengers, while Bauchi has 19 candidates, including Lami Babageidam of the Zenith Labour Party.
In Benue, Governor Hyacinth Alia faces five challengers, including Justice Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who is of the PDP.
Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kano governor, faces several challengers, including NDC’s Aminu Gwarzo, Labour Party’s Mohammed Raji and PDP’s Muhammad Dalhatu. Rivers has 19 candidates, while Gombe has 17, according to INEC Public Affairs Officer Mohorret Bigun.
In Ogun, 13 parties fielded candidates, including APC’s Solomon Adeola, PDP’s Oladipupo Adebutu and ADC’s Jimi Lawal.
Jigawa has 14 candidates, while in Ebonyi, Governor Francis Nwifuru faces PDP’s Ifeanyi Odii and other contenders. Odii was Nwifuru’s major challenger in the 2023 election.