The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the recent INEC deadline extension for the submission of candidates’ names for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections reflects the opposition parties’ inability to effectively manage their internal nomination processes. The ruling party maintained that it successfully completed its candidate submissions before the original deadline, describing the development as evidence of its organisational strength and readiness for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the party complied with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) original deadline despite handling a larger number of candidates contesting various elective positions.
According to the APC, all the names and personal particulars of its presidential, vice-presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates were successfully uploaded through the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal before the deadline expired. The party said this demonstrated discipline, effective planning and commitment to due process.
The INEC deadline extension followed an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which requested additional time on behalf of political parties that were unable to complete the upload of their candidates’ details before the July 11 deadline. Earlier, INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, announced that the commission had extended the submission deadline to July 14, 2026, in line with its statutory powers and administrative discretion.
While acknowledging INEC’s authority to extend the timeline, the APC argued that the need for an extension exposed weaknesses within opposition parties.
The party stated that political organisations unable to complete their own nomination processes despite managing fewer candidates could not convincingly present themselves as ready to govern Nigeria or its subnational governments. According to the APC, the development raises legitimate concerns about the opposition’s organisational capacity, discipline and preparedness for the 2027 elections.
The ruling party also described as ironic the opposition’s request for assistance from INEC after previously accusing the commission of operating under APC influence.
The APC noted that although it would have benefited had the electoral commission maintained the original deadline, it neither opposed nor interfered with INEC’s decision because it had already fulfilled all submission requirements. The party argued that the episode exposed what it described as contradictions in the opposition’s public criticism of the electoral body.
Following the successful completion of its candidate nomination process, the APC urged its leaders, members and supporters to shift attention towards preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The party called for stronger grassroots mobilisation, intensified public awareness of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, consolidation of party structures nationwide and a campaign centred on policy issues. According to the APC, meeting the INEC deadline extension was unnecessary for the party because its internal processes had already been concluded within the original timetable, reinforcing what it described as its commitment to discipline and effective political organisation.
