The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized Nigeria’s opposition parties over their failure to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections, describing the development as evidence of poor organization and inadequate preparation for governance.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party announced that it had successfully completed the upload of the names and particulars of all its presidential, vice-presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates before the July 11 deadline set by INEC.
The APC said it fulfilled the electoral requirement despite fielding candidates for numerous elective positions across the country, arguing that its compliance demonstrated the party’s organizational strength and commitment to due process.
According to the party, INEC subsequently granted an extension of the submission deadline until July 14 following requests from opposition parties that were unable to complete the nomination process before the original deadline.
While acknowledging that the electoral commission acted within its statutory powers in granting the extension, the APC maintained that the development exposed what it described as the opposition’s inability to effectively manage its internal affairs.
The ruling party argued that political parties struggling to conclude their nomination processes should face questions about their capacity to administer public institutions if elected into office.
The APC also accused opposition parties of hypocrisy, noting that some had previously alleged that the ruling party exerted undue influence over INEC. According to the APC, those same parties later sought and received an extension from the electoral commission after failing to comply with the original deadline.
The party further stated that it had no involvement in INEC’s decision to extend the deadline, despite suggesting that maintaining the initial timeline could have politically benefited the APC because it had already completed its submissions.
Reaffirming its confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections, the APC said the successful completion of its candidate nomination process reflected what it described as the party’s discipline, leadership and institutional capacity.
The ruling party also urged its leaders, members and supporters to shift attention to grassroots mobilization and voter engagement, while highlighting the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.
INEC has not publicly indicated that the deadline extension was granted in response to any particular political party’s request. The commission had earlier announced the extension of the candidate nomination deadline to July 14 in line with its administrative powers under the Electoral Act.
The extension allows political parties that were unable to complete their nominations before the initial deadline additional time to upload the names and particulars of their candidates to INEC’s Candidate Nomination Portal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
