APC mocks opposition to INEC deadline extension, says delay shows lack of preparedness for 2027

The All Progressives Congress (APC) criticized opposition political parties for their inability to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission’s deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections, and described the development as proof that they are not ready to govern.

The ruling party made the remarks in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, via the party’s official X account.

According to the APC, they managed to complete the uploading of presidential, vice-presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates before the July 11 deadline set by INEC, despite fielding more candidates for various elective positions.

“The All Progressives Congress is proud to announce that it successfully met the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for submission of the names of its candidates for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“Our great Party meets these requirements even though there are many candidates from the Party competing on the Party platform for various elected offices,” the statement said.

The party noted that INEC later extended the submission deadline to July 14 following appeals from opposition parties seeking additional time to complete their nomination processes.

While admitting that the election umpire acted within his legal authority in granting the extension, the APC argued that the request exposed serious organizational weaknesses within the opposition.

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“While INEC acted within its legal authority and administrative discretion in extending the deadline for opposition parties to upload the names of their candidates, it is worth noting that this extension was necessitated due to the failure of the opposition parties to manage their internal processes to comply with the INEC submission deadline despite the number of candidates to be managed being less compared to the APC,” he said.

The ruling party stated that the inability of opposition parties to complete what it described as routine administrative processes raised questions about their capacity to manage government affairs.

According to the APC, “These developments provide a clear indication of the opposition’s chronic weakness and raise legitimate questions about its operational capacity. Political parties that cannot efficiently complete their own internal nomination processes are unlikely to be trusted by the Nigerian public to have the competence, discipline or readiness to govern our great nation or its subnational governments.”

The party also accused opposition groups of contradicting their long-standing criticism of INEC, given previous accusations that the commission was under the influence of the APC.

The report argues that the parties have now turned to the electoral body for help after failing to meet application deadlines.

“It is ironic that the same opposition parties have repeatedly spread false, malicious and baseless news that the APC controls and dictates INEC decisions. However, because they failed to meet the filing deadline, they shamelessly asked the same INEC for leniency, and were granted an extension.

“And the same APC will be the beneficiary if INEC sticks to its original deadline, keeps its distance, meets its deadlines and completes its submissions. Once again, this underscores the hypocrisy of the opposition, and its true character as a spreader of fake news and a trafficker of extortion,” the statement added.

The APC further said that the timely submission of data on all candidates demonstrated the party’s commitment to fair processes, discipline and effective internal organization.

“With the successful upload of data of all candidates for President, Vice President, Senate and House of Representatives on the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal, APC has once again demonstrated superior leadership and organizational capacity, discipline and a strong commitment to the legal process,” the party said.

As preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace, the APC calls on its leaders, members and supporters to intensify mobilization efforts across the country.

The statement urged party supporters to consolidate support for the Tinubu government by highlighting its achievements and strengthening its grassroots structures ahead of the campaign.

“As we complete this important phase of the electoral process, we call on all Party leaders, stakeholders, members and supporters of the Party to turn their full attention to the task ahead.

“We must remain focused and continue to strengthen our structures at all levels, raise awareness of the major achievements in President Bola Tinubu’s New Hope Agenda, deepen grassroots mobilization, and prepare for a strong issue-based campaign that will see our great Party gain a new mandate in the 2027 general elections,” he added.