APC Says Opposition’s Failure to Meet INEC Deadline Reflects Lack of Readiness for 2027

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the inability of opposition political parties to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 general elections reflects a lack of preparedness to govern.

The ruling party stated that it successfully uploaded the particulars of all its presidential, vice-presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives candidates before the initial July 11 deadline set by INEC.

However, the electoral commission announced on Sunday that it had extended the deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections from July 11 to July 14.

INEC explained that the extension followed an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on behalf of political parties that were unable to complete the upload of their candidates’ details within the stipulated period.

Reacting to the development, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said while the party recognised INEC’s authority to grant the extension, the request by opposition parties highlighted what he described as their “chronic inherent weakness.”

According to Morka, the opposition’s inability to conclude its internal nomination processes despite presenting fewer candidates than the APC raises concerns about its capacity to effectively manage public affairs.

He argued that political parties unable to efficiently organise their internal processes cannot convincingly present themselves as credible alternatives capable of governing Nigeria or its subnational governments.

The APC also described as ironic the fact that opposition parties, which had consistently accused the ruling party of influencing INEC’s decisions, eventually appealed to the same electoral body for an extension after failing to meet the original deadline.

Morka said the development contradicts the opposition’s repeated allegations that the APC controls the electoral commission, describing such claims as false and unfounded.