APC vs PDP vs Labour Party: Nigerian Voter Preferences 18 Months Before 2027

Published: June 2026 | Data Source: NigeriaPolls 2027 Presidential Mood Survey (n=3,102, ±1.8% MoE)

The Landscape

With approximately 18 months until the 2027 Nigerian presidential election, the political ground is shifting. Our 2027 Presidential Mood — Early Reading survey (n=3,102, ±1.8% MoE) provides the most comprehensive early look at voter sentiment across Nigeria six geopolitical zones. This is not a prediction — these are snapshots of opinion 18 months before votes are cast.

National Party Preference

When asked which party they would support if the election were held today:

The APC retains a lead but has lost ground since 2023. The Labour Party and NNPP have gained, primarily from younger voters and urban professionals.

Zone-by-Zone Breakdown

South-West (Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti)

• APC: 41% | PDP: 26% | LP: 15% | NNPP: 4%
• The APC traditional stronghold holds, but the margin is narrower than 2023.

South-East (Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi)

• LP: 36% | PDP: 31% | APC: 18% | APGA: 12%
• Labour Party leads in the region that gave Peter Obi 95% in 2023. PDP remains competitive.

South-South (Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Edo)

• PDP: 38% | APC: 27% | LP: 21% | NNPP: 5%
• PDP maintains its strongest regional performance, but LP has made significant inroads.

North-Central (Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, FCT)

• APC: 33% | PDP: 29% | LP: 17% | NNPP: 8%
• A competitive zone with no clear dominant party.

North-East (Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe)

• APC: 38% | PDP: 27% | NNPP: 12% | LP: 9%
• APC leads but NNPP has grown, particularly in Bauchi and Gombe.

North-West (Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara)

• APC: 36% | PDP: 24% | NNPP: 18% | LP: 6%
• The most fragmented zone. NNPP stronghold Kano state gives them a significant platform.

What Voters Care About

Respondents ranked their top issues:

1. Economy / Cost of Living — 72% (ranked #1)
2. Security — 58%
3. Jobs / Unemployment — 51%
4. Education — 34%
5. Healthcare — 29%
6. Infrastructure — 22%

The economy dominates as the defining issue. Any party that convinces voters it can lower prices and create jobs will have a decisive advantage.

Generational Divide

The youth vote (18–34) is fragmenting away from the two major parties. Labour Party leads among this demographic, which will be decisive if young voters turn out in high numbers.

Conclusion

The 2027 election is shaping up to be the most competitive since 2015. While APC holds a national lead, the coalition of younger voters moving toward LP and NNPP could reshape the electoral map. The next 12 months of party primaries and coalition negotiations will determine whether the current trend lines hold.

Methodology: Data drawn from the NigeriaPolls 2027 Presidential Mood Q2 2025 survey (n=3,102, ±1.8% MoE, 95% CL). Fielded across all 36 states and FCT using stratified random sampling by zone, state, and urban/rural. Full data at NigeriaPolls Research.