APC Slams Opposition after rival parties missed INEC’s candidate deadline, with the ruling party questioning their preparedness for 2027
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised opposition parties after they failed to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for submitting candidates for the 2027 general elections, claiming the delay exposed weaknesses in their internal organisation and readiness for governance.
Also read: APC Sweeps All 18 Chairmanship Seats in Edo LG Poll
The criticism was issued in Abuja on Sunday, 12 July 2026, by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, after the ruling party confirmed it had completed the submission of its presidential and National Assembly candidates before the deadline.
The APC’s comments came after INEC extended the candidate upload deadline from 11 July to 14 July 2026 following requests from some opposition parties that had not completed the process on time.
The ruling party said the extension was within INEC’s legal powers but argued that the need for additional time revealed poor coordination among opposition parties.
“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 or its subnational governments,” Felix Morka said.
The APC said it successfully uploaded the details of its presidential, vice-presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates to INEC’s Candidate Nomination Portal despite having a larger number of candidates across different elective positions.
The party used the development to question the administrative capacity of opposition groups ahead of the 2027 election, arguing that effective political management begins with the ability to organise internal processes.
The ruling party also accused opposition parties of inconsistency, pointing to previous claims that APC influenced INEC decisions. According to the APC, the request for an extension contradicted accusations that the electoral commission was controlled by the governing party.
“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,” Morka said.
Opposition parties have not been quoted in the statement responding directly to the APC’s criticism, but the deadline extension means affected parties still have additional time to complete the nomination and upload process ahead of the election timetable.
The dispute adds another layer of political tension ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties already positioning themselves for a contest expected to focus on governance, economic conditions, security and public confidence.
For the APC, meeting the deadline has become part of its broader message of organisational strength as it prepares to defend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate.
The party said it would now shift attention towards grassroots mobilisation, campaign preparations and promoting the achievements of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Also read: APC Sweeps All 18 Chairmanship Seats in Edo LG Poll
The opposition parties’ missed deadline, meanwhile, provides the APC with a fresh opportunity to challenge their preparedness, although the final judgment on electoral strength will ultimately depend on voter support at the polls.
