APC Kicks Over INEC Deadline Extension

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for extending the deadline for political parties to submit the names of their presidential and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general election.

INEC announced over the weekend that it had shifted the deadline from July 11 to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, after receiving requests from political parties seeking more time to complete the upload of their candidates’ details.

The electoral commission explained that the decision followed an appeal from the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which asked for an extension on behalf of parties that could not complete the nomination process within the original deadline.

According to INEC, the additional time was granted to allow wider participation in the electoral process while remaining within the provisions of the Electoral Act. The commission also encouraged political parties to make good use of the extra period by completing the upload of their candidates and personal information before the new deadline.

Reacting to the development, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the ruling party disagreed with the commission’s decision, arguing that INEC gave in to pressure from opposition parties.

Morka stated that the APC successfully completed the submission of candidates for all elective positions within the time fixed by INEC despite handling a larger number of aspirants and candidates than other political parties.

He argued that many opposition parties had fewer candidates to process but still failed to meet the deadline. According to him, their inability to complete the exercise reflected poor organisation and a lack of preparedness.

The APC spokesman also dismissed previous claims by opposition parties that the ruling party had undue influence over INEC. He said the latest extension showed that the commission acted after requests from opposition parties rather than in the interest of the APC.

Morka maintained that if the APC truly controlled the commission, it would have preferred INEC to maintain the original deadline because that would have left some rival parties unable to submit their candidates.

He added that the ruling party completed its nomination process without seeking additional time and insisted that the problems facing opposition parties were internal matters unrelated to the APC.

Although he criticised the extension, Morka said the APC respects INEC’s authority as the body responsible for managing elections in Nigeria. He explained that the party was not in conflict with the commission over the decision.

However, he urged INEC to avoid creating situations that reward what he described as poor planning and inefficiency among opposition parties. According to him, the ability to meet electoral deadlines reflects the level of organisation expected from parties seeking to govern the country.