The All Progressives Congress (APC) has claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to extend the deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 general elections highlights the opposition’s lack of preparedness for the polls. In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party said it successfully uploaded the names and particulars of all its presidential and National Assembly candidates before the original July 11 deadline, despite fielding a large number of aspirants across the country.
According to the APC, meeting the deadline demonstrated the party’s organisational strength and commitment to complying with electoral regulations. The development followed INEC’s announcement extending the submission deadline to July 14, 2026, after the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) appealed on behalf of political parties that were unable to complete the upload of candidates within the initial timeframe.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the extension was approved under the commission’s statutory powers to accommodate affected political parties. Reacting to the decision, the APC acknowledged that INEC acted within its legal authority but argued that the extension became necessary because several opposition parties failed to conclude their internal nomination processes on schedule.
The party maintained that organisations unable to efficiently manage their own candidate selection procedures would struggle to provide effective governance if entrusted with public office. APC also described it as ironic that opposition parties, which it accused of repeatedly alleging undue influence over INEC by the ruling party, later sought relief from the same electoral commission after missing the original deadline.
According to the statement, the APC did not seek any intervention from INEC because it had already fulfilled all submission requirements before the deadline expired. The party said the successful upload of its presidential, vice-presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates reflected discipline, adherence to due process and strong internal coordination.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the APC urged its members and supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation, strengthen party structures nationwide and continue promoting the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The ruling party added that its focus would remain on running what it described as an issue-based campaign while preparing to seek a renewed mandate from Nigerian voters in the 2027 general elections.
