APC Faults Opposition Over Failure to Meet INEC Candidate Submission Deadline
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the failure of opposition political parties to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 general elections is evidence of their lack of preparedness for governance.
In a statement signed by Felix Morka, CON, the APC National Publicity Secretary, the ruling party said it successfully submitted the names of its presidential, vice-presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates before the July 11 deadline, while opposition parties sought an extension, which INEC granted until July 14.
The APC said although INEC acted within its statutory powers by extending the deadline, “the extension was necessitated by the stark failure of opposition parties to manage their internal processes to comply with INEC’s submission deadline.”
According to the party, the development “provides yet another clear indication of the opposition’s chronic inherent weakness” and raises questions about their ability to govern.
“Political parties that cannot efficiently conclude their own internal nomination processes cannot possibly be trusted by Nigerians to possess the competence, discipline, or readiness to govern our great nation,” the statement said.
The APC also described as ironic the opposition’s repeated claims that it controls INEC, noting that the same parties turned to the electoral commission for more time after missing the deadline.
“It is starkly ironical that the same opposition parties have repeatedly peddled false, malicious and unfounded tales that the APC controls and dictates INEC’s decisions. Yet, as they failed to meet the submission deadline, they shamelessly turned to the same INEC for respite,” the statement added.
The party said its successful upload of all required candidate particulars on the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal demonstrated its “leadership and superior organisational capacity, discipline, and solid commitment to due process.”
The APC urged its members and supporters to strengthen party structures, deepen grassroots mobilisation and promote the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.
